Kosta Boda - Bertil Vallien - Bottle - Antikva - Glass - Antikva

Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda – Mini Bottle Antikva - – Sweden – Mid-Century Modern

Bertil Vallien – Kosta Boda – ANTIKVA – Rare Swedish Art Glass Bottle – Scandinavian Studio Glass

A beautiful and highly decorative vintage art glass bottle from the celebrated “Antikva” series, designed by the internationally renowned Swedish glass artist Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda, Sweden.

This charming little masterpiece of Scandinavian studio glass combines vibrant colours, an archaic silhouette and an extraordinarily rich glass texture.

The compact, slightly angular body is made of magnificent emerald-green and turquoise glass, displaying fascinating internal striations, tiny trapped air bubbles and an almost organic surface structure. Rising from the substantial green body is a long, elegant neck of translucent cobalt-blue glass, culminating in a beautifully flared, thickened rim.

The striking contrast between the luminous green body and the brilliant blue neck gives this small bottle an exceptional visual presence. Depending on the angle and intensity of the light, the glass reveals wonderful reflections, subtle variations in colour and remarkable optical depth.

The celebrated “Antikva” series

Designed by Bertil Vallien (born 1938), one of Sweden's most distinguished contemporary glass artists, the Antikva series is particularly admired for its distinctive combination of ancient inspiration and modern Scandinavian design.

Its deliberately irregular forms, characteristic textures and vibrant colours evoke the appearance of ancient archaeological glass vessels, as if they had been discovered during an excavation after centuries underground.

Vallien transforms this archaic aesthetic into an unmistakably modern artistic expression, combining traditional glassmaking craftsmanship with the experimental spirit of Scandinavian studio glass.

The result is an object that is simultaneously ancient in inspiration and strikingly contemporary in appearance.

A miniature sculptural masterpiece

Despite its modest dimensions, this remarkable bottle possesses a powerful sculptural character. Its elegant proportions, fascinating colour combination and richly textured glass make it a particularly attractive collector's piece.

Beautiful when displayed individually, it would also make an excellent addition to a collection of Swedish art glass, Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design or works by Bertil Vallien.

Details:

Designer: Bertil Vallien (born 1938)

Manufacturer: Kosta Boda, Sweden

Collection: Antikva

Period: Vintage, second half of the 20th century

Origin: Sweden

Material: Handcrafted art glass

Colours: Emerald green, turquoise and cobalt blue

Technique: Handcrafted glass with characteristic bubbles, internal striations and textured effects

Signature: Marked on the base; please refer to the detailed photographs

A captivating example of Swedish studio glass, combining the timeless mystery of ancient glass vessels with the bold artistic imagination of Bertil Vallien. Small in size, yet exceptionally expressive in form and colour.

Please examine the detailed original photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description and illustrate the condition of the item.

Bertil Vallien – A Master of Swedish Glass

Bertil Vallien (born 1938) is one of Sweden's most internationally acclaimed glass artists and designers.

Renowned for his extraordinary creativity, experimental approach and distinctive sculptural language, Vallien has played a significant role in establishing Swedish glass as an internationally recognised art form.

His work ranges from playful and imaginative decorative designs to monumental glass sculptures exhibited in museums and collections around the world.

These charming hippopotamuses demonstrate the more whimsical side of his artistic imagination, combining Scandinavian craftsmanship with a remarkable sense of personality and character.

Details

Designer: Bertil Vallien (born 1938)
Manufacturer: Kosta Boda, Sweden
Objects: Two hippopotamus glass sculptures
Style: Scandinavian Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Figurative Art Glass
Material: Solid, clear and frosted glass
Dimensions: Approximately 19 × 7 × 4 cm each
Weight: Approximately 730 g each
Combined weight: Approximately 1,460 g
Colour: Clear glass, with a very subtle champagne-golden tint visible in one figure under certain lighting conditions
Quantity: Two pieces, offered together as a pair

A Delightful Pair for Collectors

The hippos are particularly attractive when displayed together, their almost identical shapes creating a wonderfully harmonious composition.

Their distinctive combination of sculptural simplicity, substantial weight, soft translucency and charming animal character makes them equally appealing to collectors of Scandinavian glass and enthusiasts of imaginative 20th-century design.

An exceptionally charming and visually striking pair of Swedish art glass sculptures – playful in spirit, elegant in execution and unmistakably Scandinavian in character.

A delightful addition to any collection of Kosta Boda glass, Bertil Vallien designs or vintage Scandinavian decorative art.

Both hippos are offered together as one lot.