Kosta Boda | florisleeuwenberg.com

Glassblower, suited-up to withstand the 1400 degrees heat

Glassblower, still suited-up to withstand the 1400 degrees heat from the furnace, shows his latest creation. Larger art objects will take up to 12 hours to cool down.

A soaked newspaper offers enough heat resistance ,to hand-mould the red hot glass

A wad of soaked newspaper offers enough heat resistance to be able to hand-mould the red hot glass while it is still soft.

One of the many faces by glass artist Bertil Vallien

One of the many faces by glass artist Bertil Vallien adorning the Kosta Boda Art Hotel.

The chandelier in the foyer of the Kosta Boda Art Hote

The chandelier in the foyer of the Kosta Boda Art Hotel

Kjell Engman, swimming pool with changing exhibition of glass set in its floor .

Designed by Kjell Engman, the swimming pool with its glittering blue tiles and a changing exhibition of glass set in its floor, forms the centerpiece of the Kosta Boda Art Hotel’s spa.

Magical prismatic properties of glass are used to capture and transform ambient light.

Outside the hotel too, the magical prismatic properties of glass are used to capture and transform ambient light.

Template for communicating the designer’s wishes to the craftsmen who will execute the vision.

The design sketch that will form the template for communicating the designer’s wishes to the craftsmen and women who will execute the vision.

Gass is a unique substance to create art objects.

Scattering light and colour, glass is a unique substance with which to create art objects.

Glassblower works on getting a neat rim to a hand-blown crystal glass.

An apprentice glassblower works on getting a neat rim to a hand-blown crystal glass.

Glass blow demonstration in the theme restaurant of Kosta boda

A glass blow demonstration in the theme restaurant of Kosta boda

Throughout the hotel, glass is used to create a dream-like atmosphere.

Throughout the hotel, glass in all its infinite variety of form is used to create a dream-like atmosphere.

Trimming the excess glass

Trimming the excess glass from an artwork while it is still hot and pliable.

Art Hotel draws light into its interior.

By day, the atrium of the Kosta Boda Art Hotel draws light into its interior. The chandelier is by Anna Ehrner.

Decorative glass art piece from 1780.

Decorative glass art piece from the Orrefors museum 1780.

The chandelier in the foyer of the Kosta Boda Art Hotel

The chandelier in the foyer of the Kosta Boda Art Hotel, created from hundreds of small, hand-blown glass balls that together weigh nearly a tonne.

Crystal handbag by designer Lena Bergström

One of the crystal handbags by designer Lena Bergström that brilliantly showcase the skills of the glassblowers, cutters and polishers she collaborates with.

A Kosta Boda designer for more than 30 years, Kjell Engman in his studio

A Kosta Boda designer for more than 30 years, Kjell Engman in his studio. His work displaying the musical instruments that have inspired and characterized much of his recent work.

A neo-tribal detail from the Kosta Boda Art Hotel

A neo-tribal detail from the Kosta Boda Art Hotel, the showcase of Swedish glass art & design opened in 2009.

Wet newspaper, with which to shape the hot glass.

A glassblower demonstrates use of the most important technical aid: the wad of wet newspaper, with which to shape the hot glass.

Typical Småland cottage

Typical Småland cottage with its characteristic red ochre exterior.

Glass can be drawn, blown or moulded into any shape .

While still viscous, glass can be drawn, blown or moulded into any shape imaginable.Designer Kjell Engman

The consciously classic design style of Orrefors glassware

The consciously classic design style of Orrefors glassware is a product of more than 100 years of close collaboration between designers and skilled glass artisans.

The beauty of glass shines through

The beauty of glass shines through, whether in an individual object of as a collection of in this case, tiny translucent heads.

Kjell Engman holds one of his rock ‘n’ roll-inspired glass art pieces

Designer Kjell Engman holds one of his rock ‘n’ roll-inspired glass art pieces during application of sand blasted texture.

Exterior of the Kosta Boda Art Hotel.

Kosta Boda has created a new concept in art hotel.

Right from the entrance foyer, it is clear that Kosta Boda has created a new concept in art hotel.

Like hundred’s of years ago still most of the glass painting is by hand

Back to Brand

The Kingdom of Crystal

In 1742 the king of Sweden wanted to reward two generals in his army; he was also anxious for his country to begin its industrial development. Killing two birds with one stone, he gave each a small region to govern in Smaland, a thickly-wooded, under-populated pile of glacial sand, rocks and lakes– all they need to start a glass making industry. The generals recruited artisan blowers from Bohemia and built a factory village they named Kosta. Many of the itinerant blowers settled, married local girls, and set up their own factories. By the late 1800s, growing competition from abroad in the commodity glass market forced a decision to focus on handmade designs – a decision that saved the Swedish industry. Throughout the 20th century, the country became famous for the stunning glassware and art pieces it created. Today, Smaland’s Kingdom of Crystal gets a million visitors a year, and now finally they have somewhere breathtaking to stay. In June 2009, the Kosta Boda brand opened the first glass art-hotel in Europe. Containing 100 tons of glass, it offers 104 suites designed and decorated by the famous Kosta Boda glass artists, who also created a crystal-floored swimming pool– with a changing exhibition in the base– and a crystal bar.

Text Jules Marshall