Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden
From the Hommage jubilee exhibition at NK, Stockholm.
275 years of vibrant design heritage With iconic designs and niche expertise, Kosta Boda has become a much-loved brand that has stood the test of time. This year, the vibrant glass design brand celebrates its 275th birthday. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Kosta Boda
“Adding that artistic streak, taking everyday items and giving them that design DNA – that’s the key to the Kosta Boda success,” says Magnus Andersson, CEO of Orrefors Kosta Boda AB. It was the former, Orrefors, that first brought about the design expression today known as Swedish Grace, as designer Simon Gate won the gold medal at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. “It was huge. You have to remember, we were cavemen back then compared to the European aristocracy and the big design houses of Italy, England and Russia,” says the CEO. “It was the start of the entire Swedish 56 | Issue 102 | July 2017
design wonder – not just glass, but all of Scandinavian design.” It is a bold statement, but one that is hard to argue with. Few things seem as unequivocally Swedish as a Kosta Boda snowball votive, perfect for bringing along as a gift to someone abroad. Add the fact that their Majesties themselves, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, celebrated the national day this year by taking part in festivities at the glassworks in the county of Småland, and it seems indisputable that this is a brand with a special place in the hearts of Swedes. “We were shocked but thrilled that they want-
ed to come and celebrate with us,” says Andersson. “The plan was for the King to help renowned glass designer Bertil Vallien to cast the Royal Boat, placing the King’s crown symbol in it, and we were all a bit nervous beforehand – what if he’d drop it? But it all went well, Bertil and the King ended up doing a high five and the atmosphere was just fantastic!” The boat is part of the 275th anniversary celebrations, as Kosta Boda looks back on a rich, successful past. The glassworks was founded in 1742 by two of Carl XII’s army generals, Anders Koskull and Georg Bogislaus Staël von Holstein, on order by King Fredrik I as the glassworks near the cities had a tendency to burn down.
Paying tribute to past icons The anniversary will be marked by a jubilee exhibition, Hommage, which sees