Kosta Glasbruk (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈkǔːsta ˈɡlɑ̂ːsbrʉːk]), later known as Kosta Boda (IPA: [ˈkǔːsta ˈbûːda]), is a Swedish glassmaking company (glasbruk in Swedish) founded by two foreign officers in Charles XII's army, Anders Koskull and Georg Bogislaus Staël von Holstein, in 1742.[1] The name is a portmanteau of the founders' surnames, Ko(skull) + Sta(el). It is located in Kosta, Sweden, which was named for the company. The surrounding region has become known as the "Kingdom of Crystal" and is now a tourist site which attracts a million visitors annually.

Kosta Boda
Company typePrivate
IndustryGlassware, Art Glass
Founded1742 (1742)
FounderAnders Koskull, Georg Bogislaus Stael von Holstein
HeadquartersKosta, Småland, Sweden
Area served
Worldwide
WebsiteKostaBoda.se

History edit

 
Kosta glasbruk ca. 1890
 
Kosta glasbruk

Early production consisted of window glass, chandeliers and drinking glasses. From the 1840s, the factory was at the forefront of new trends and technical developments, producing pressed glass, and in the 1880s setting up a new glass-cutting workshop.

In 1903, the company merged with the Reijmyre glassworks but both retained their own names and Kosta went on to maintain its reputation as one of the leading Swedish manufacturers with a range of fine art glass and tableware by distinguished designers such as Vicke Lindstrand, artistic director from 1950-1973.

Elis Bergh between 1928 and 1950 was the artistic director of Kosta Glasbruk. After 1950 and until his death in 1954, he worked as a consultant for Kosta.

Having merged with Boda Glasbruk in Emmaboda Municipality, Kosta Glasbruk is still active today under the new name of Kosta Boda.

Gallery edit

Notes and references edit

  1. ^ http://www.kostaboda.se [1], history section page 1

External links edit