Kosta Glasbruk
Encyclopedia
Kosta Glasbruk is a Swedish
glassworks founded by two foreign officers in Charles XII's army, Anders Koskull and Georg Bogislaus Stael von Holstein, in 1742 . It is located in Kosta, Sweden
. The surrounding region has become known as the "Kingdom of Crystal
" and is now a tourist site which attracts a million visitors annually.
Early production consisted of window
glass
, chandeliers and drinking glass
es. 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.
Having merged with Boda Glasbruk
in Emmaboda Municipality
, Kosta Glasbruk is still active today under the name of Kosta Boda. Since June 1, 2005, the owner of the glassworks has been the corporate development company, the New Wave Group. This also includes the glassworks in Åfors and Orrefors.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
glassworks founded by two foreign officers in Charles XII's army, Anders Koskull and Georg Bogislaus Stael von Holstein, in 1742 . It is located in Kosta, Sweden
Kosta, Sweden
Kosta is a locality situated in Lessebo Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 941 inhabitants in 2005.It is located between the cities of Kalmar and Växjö, in the forested Småland province....
. The surrounding region has become known as the "Kingdom of Crystal
Kingdom of Crystal
The Kingdom of Crystal is a geographical area today containing a total of 15 glassworks in the municipalities of Emmaboda, Nybro, Uppvidinge and Lessebo in southern Sweden. Their history can be traced back to the 18th century at least...
" and is now a tourist site which attracts a million visitors annually.
Early production consisted of window
Window
A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
, chandeliers and drinking glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
es. From the 1840s, the factory was at the forefront of new trends and technical developments, producing pressed glass
Pressed glass
Pressed glass is a form of glass made using a plunger to press molten glass into a mold. It was first patented by American inventor John P. Bakewell in 1825 to make knobs for furniture....
, 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
Art glass
Definitions of art glass can be as complex and contentious as definitions of what constitutes "art" and will inevitably include many refinements and exceptions...
and tableware
Tableware
Tableware is the dishes or dishware , dinnerware , or china used for setting a table, serving food, and for dining. Tableware can be meant to include flatware and glassware...
by distinguished designers such as Vicke Lindstrand
Victor Emanuel Lindstrand
Victor Emanuel Lindstrand, known as Vicke Lindstrand was a Swedish glass designer, textile and ceramic designer, and painter. He is considered a pioneer of Swedish glass art.-Background:...
, artistic director from 1950-1973.
Having merged with Boda Glasbruk
Boda glasbruk
Boda glasbruk is a locality situated in Emmaboda Municipality, Kalmar County, Sweden with 201 inhabitants in 2005.One of the glassworks of Kosta-Boda are situated here. The village was renamed from Förlångskvarn when the glassworks opened in 1874....
in Emmaboda Municipality
Emmaboda Municipality
Emmaboda Municipality is a municipality in Kalmar County, in south-eastern Sweden. Its seat is located in the town Emmaboda....
, Kosta Glasbruk is still active today under the name of Kosta Boda. Since June 1, 2005, the owner of the glassworks has been the corporate development company, the New Wave Group. This also includes the glassworks in Åfors and Orrefors.