Kosta Boda – Anna Ehrner – “Contrast” Bowl (Black to Deep-Purple with Blue Lines)
Sweden · Handblown Art Glass · Signed Studio Piece
A striking and atmospheric art-glass bowl from the “Contrast” series by Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Produced in the late 20th century, Contrast is one of Ehrner’s most iconic lines — defined by its sweeping internal colour clouds and the dynamic energy of hand-applied light-blue trailing.
This large bowl (Ø 23 cm) showcases the signature characteristics that made Ehrner one of Kosta Boda’s most celebrated post-modern designers: a dialogue between opacity and transparency, movement and stillness, discipline and spontaneity. The swirling black body — almost like ink suspended in clear glass — is intersected by vivid, gestural blue lines that animate the entire form from within.
Design & Craftsmanship
Anna Ehrner’s work is renowned for her experimental yet precise manipulation of hot glass. In Contrast, she developed a technique that traps smoky ribbons of colour inside crystal-clear glass, allowing light to travel through layered densities.
The result is painterly and sculptural at once: a bowl that changes character with every shift of illumination — from dramatic chiaroscuro to luminous depth.
The blue lines are applied as molten threads of colour, creating a lively counterpoint to the moody, drifting interior pattern. Each bowl is a unique studio piece, reflecting the variations inherent in handblown glass.
Designer
Anna Ehrner (b. 1948) — one of Sweden’s leading contemporary glass artists, known for her minimalist yet expressive approach. Active at Kosta Boda from the mid-1970s onward, her work is held in design museums worldwide.
Manufacturer
Kosta Boda, Sweden’s oldest art-glass factory (founded 1742), internationally recognised for its innovative studio production.
Details
Series: Contrast
Designer: Anna Ehrner
Manufacturer: Kosta Boda, Sweden
Material: Handblown art glass
Colour: Black with internal smoky pattern & blue applied lines
Dimensions: Height 11 cm · Diameter 23 cm
Marking: Acid-etched KOSTA BODA to the base
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with minimal, age-typical surface traces. No chips, cracks, or repairs.
Collector’s Note
Ehrner’s Contrast pieces have become highly sought-after examples of late 20th-century Scandinavian studio glass. This large bowl, with its dramatic colour play and sculptural presence, makes a powerful centrepiece — equally suited for minimalist interiors, art-glass displays, or contemporary design collections.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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Specifications
ConditionExcellentColorsPurple, Blue, Multi Color, BlackMaterialGlassNumber of items1BrandKosta BodaHeight11 cmWidth23 cmDepth23 cm