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Kosta Boda Sweden
Kosta Boda Green KarlJohan Glass Mushroom by Monica Backström
Kosta Boda Green KarlJohan Glass Mushroom by Monica Backström
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€165,00 EUR
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€165,00 EUR
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A sculptural hand-blown glass mushroom by Monica Backström, designed for Boda in the 1970s. The rounded cap and full stem are formed in translucent green glass, with small black, white, pale pink and warm yellow glass fragments concentrated across the upper part of the cap.
The softly mottled glass and irregular decoration give each piece its own surface pattern. The original Kosta Boda label remains attached to the lower stem.
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About the Series: Svampar
The Svampar series is one of Monica Backström’s most recognisable groups of glass objects, developed during her years working with Boda in the 1970s.
Rather than reproducing a single mushroom shape, Backström created a whole collection of different forms based on familiar Swedish mushrooms. The variations are found in the proportions of the cap and stem, the size of each piece and, particularly, in the colours and patterns worked into the glass.
The surfaces have a deliberately irregular appearance. Small pieces of coloured glass create mottled areas across the transparent body, so the pattern is never completely uniform. This gives the individual pieces a quality that sits somewhere between functional glass and small-scale sculpture.
The series was made in several sizes and included both individual mushroom forms and larger pieces adapted as lamps. The combination of recognisable natural forms with experimental glass surfaces became one of the defining characteristics of Backström’s work from this period.
About the Designer: Monica Backström
Monica Backström (1939–2020) was a Swedish artist and designer whose career was closely connected with Boda glassworks. She trained at Konstfack in Stockholm and began working with glass after winning a design competition associated with Boda in the 1960s.
Glass quickly became the central material of her practice, but her work was never limited to conventional glassmaking. She explored colour, texture, transparency and unexpected inclusions, often using familiar subjects from nature as a starting point.
Backström had a particular ability to make experimental glass feel approachable. Organic forms, strong colours and irregular surfaces appear throughout her work, alongside more restrained functional designs.
She worked at Boda for more than four decades and developed an extensive body of work during that time. Her approach helped broaden the possibilities of Swedish glass design, particularly during the 1970s, when she was exploring more playful and sculptural forms.
About the Brand: Boda
Boda was one of the important Swedish glassworks of the 20th century, with a history rooted in Småland and a strong connection to the development of Swedish art glass.
During the post-war decades, the glassworks became a place where designers and artists could experiment alongside traditional glass production. This created a wide range of work, from everyday tableware to sculptural pieces and more experimental objects.
Designers including Erik Höglund, Monica Backström, Bertil Vallien and Ulrica Hydman Vallien contributed to the distinctive character of Boda during different periods. Their work reflects the freedom given to designers to explore the possibilities of colour, form and glassmaking.
Boda later became part of the group associated with Kosta Boda. Its production from the mid-20th century remains an important part of the history of Swedish glass, particularly for the way artistic experimentation was brought into a broader, commercially produced collection.
The Svampar series is one of Monica Backström’s most recognisable groups of glass objects, developed during her years working with Boda in the 1970s.
Rather than reproducing a single mushroom shape, Backström created a whole collection of different forms based on familiar Swedish mushrooms. The variations are found in the proportions of the cap and stem, the size of each piece and, particularly, in the colours and patterns worked into the glass.
The surfaces have a deliberately irregular appearance. Small pieces of coloured glass create mottled areas across the transparent body, so the pattern is never completely uniform. This gives the individual pieces a quality that sits somewhere between functional glass and small-scale sculpture.
The series was made in several sizes and included both individual mushroom forms and larger pieces adapted as lamps. The combination of recognisable natural forms with experimental glass surfaces became one of the defining characteristics of Backström’s work from this period.
About the Designer: Monica Backström
Monica Backström (1939–2020) was a Swedish artist and designer whose career was closely connected with Boda glassworks. She trained at Konstfack in Stockholm and began working with glass after winning a design competition associated with Boda in the 1960s.
Glass quickly became the central material of her practice, but her work was never limited to conventional glassmaking. She explored colour, texture, transparency and unexpected inclusions, often using familiar subjects from nature as a starting point.
Backström had a particular ability to make experimental glass feel approachable. Organic forms, strong colours and irregular surfaces appear throughout her work, alongside more restrained functional designs.
She worked at Boda for more than four decades and developed an extensive body of work during that time. Her approach helped broaden the possibilities of Swedish glass design, particularly during the 1970s, when she was exploring more playful and sculptural forms.
About the Brand: Boda
Boda was one of the important Swedish glassworks of the 20th century, with a history rooted in Småland and a strong connection to the development of Swedish art glass.
During the post-war decades, the glassworks became a place where designers and artists could experiment alongside traditional glass production. This created a wide range of work, from everyday tableware to sculptural pieces and more experimental objects.
Designers including Erik Höglund, Monica Backström, Bertil Vallien and Ulrica Hydman Vallien contributed to the distinctive character of Boda during different periods. Their work reflects the freedom given to designers to explore the possibilities of colour, form and glassmaking.
Boda later became part of the group associated with Kosta Boda. Its production from the mid-20th century remains an important part of the history of Swedish glass, particularly for the way artistic experimentation was brought into a broader, commercially produced collection.
Details
Origin: Sweden
Designer: Monica Backström
Manufacturer: Boda / Kosta Boda
Series: Svampar / Mushrooms
Model: Green KarlJohan Mushroom
Swedish Name: Grön Karljohanssvamp
Production Period: 1970s
Material: Hand-blown glass
Colour: Translucent green with multicoloured glass decoration
Dimensions: approx. 15.5 cm H × 12.5 cm Ø
Label: Original Kosta Boda label
Designer: Monica Backström
Manufacturer: Boda / Kosta Boda
Series: Svampar / Mushrooms
Model: Green KarlJohan Mushroom
Swedish Name: Grön Karljohanssvamp
Production Period: 1970s
Material: Hand-blown glass
Colour: Translucent green with multicoloured glass decoration
Dimensions: approx. 15.5 cm H × 12.5 cm Ø
Label: Original Kosta Boda label
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. The glass is very well preserved, with no visible chips, cracks or restoration. The original label remains attached.
Care
Hand wash gently with lukewarm water. Avoid sudden temperature changes and abrasive cleaners.