Late 20th Century Kosta Boda “Tulipa” Hand-Painted Art Glass Goblets by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien – Pair

Details

Description

A wonderfully exuberant pair of Kosta Boda “Tulipa” hand-painted art glass goblets by celebrated Swedish artist and designer Ulrica Hydman-Vallien … Read more A wonderfully exuberant pair of Kosta Boda “Tulipa” hand-painted art glass goblets by celebrated Swedish artist and designer Ulrica Hydman-Vallien (1938–2018).

Standing approximately 10 inches tall, these oversized goblets blur the line between functional stemware and sculptural art glass. Each is individually decorated in Hydman-Vallien’s unmistakable freehand style, with a dramatically painted tulip sweeping across the bowl and bold bands of color extending down the elongated stem.

The pair comprises two contrasting designs. The Tulipa Cup White (model 99183) features a vivid cobalt-blue tulip against a frosted white ground, with a pink-and-green striped stem and pink foot. The Tulipa Cup Pink (model 99184) features a rich red tulip against a frosted pink ground, paired with a pale aqua-and-black striped stem and aqua foot.

Rather than being identical, the two glasses were designed as wonderfully complementary variations—the contrasting flowers, grounds, stems, and feet giving the pair the playful, unconventional character for which Hydman-Vallien became known.

Each glass bears the artist’s painted “Ulrica HV” signature incorporated directly into the decoration and Kosta Boda identification at the foot. Both also retain their original individual Kosta Boda Artist Collection boxes, including factory labels identifying the Tulipa design, color, designer Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, and model numbers 99183 and 99184.

The undersides additionally retain hand-inscribed Kosta Boda markings, shown in the photographs.

Although conceived as goblets, their exceptional scale and graphic quality make them equally compelling displayed as collectible Swedish art glass—on a bar, console, open shelving, or within a curated collection of Scandinavian and postmodern design.

About Ulrica Hydman-Vallien:
One of Sweden’s most recognizable glass artists, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien developed a visual language entirely her own. Her boldly painted flowers, serpents, faces, figures, and abstract forms brought a spontaneous, expressive quality to traditional Swedish glassmaking.

Her work achieved wide international recognition, particularly from the 1980s onward, and her unmistakable imagery extended beyond decorative art into fashion, textiles, ceramics, and major design collaborations.

The Tulipa series beautifully embodies her approach: accomplished Swedish glassmaking transformed through vivid color, expressive brushwork, humor, and the unmistakable presence of the artist’s hand.

Details:
Designer: Ulrica Hydman-Vallien (1938–2018)
Maker: Kosta Boda
Collection: Tulipa / Artist Collection
Country of Origin: Sweden
Material: Hand-painted art glass
Quantity: Pair / Set of 2
Height: Approximately 9–10 in. each
Bowl diameter: Approximately 3 in.
Colors: Cobalt blue, red, pink, white, green, aqua and black
Signed: Yes — each with painted “Ulrica HV” signature
Marked: Kosta Boda identification at foot; additional hand-inscribed markings to undersides
Model 99183: Tulipa Cup White / blue tulip
Model 99184: Tulipa Cup Pink / red tulip
Period: Late 20th century
Style: Scandinavian Modern / Postmodern / Swedish Art Glass
Original Packaging: Yes — each retains its individual Kosta Boda Artist Collection box with original factory identification label

Condition:
Excellent vintage condition.

Both goblets present beautifully, with no chips, cracks, or repairs observed. The hand-painted decoration remains vivid and well preserved, and the frosted glass surfaces display exceptionally well.

Original Kosta Boda boxes are included and show age-appropriate storage wear, including creasing, rubbing, and edge wear. Please review photographs closely, as they form part of the condition description.

Styling:
Striking enough to be displayed simply as sculptural objects, these goblets also make wonderfully dramatic functional stemware for a special dinner, cocktail setting, or celebratory table.

Their exuberant palette works particularly well in Scandinavian Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Postmodern, Memphis-inspired, eclectic, and maximalist interiors. They would also make an exceptional wedding, anniversary, or housewarming gift for a collector of Scandinavian glass or distinctive twentieth-century design.

Please note: Some photographs show the glasses in digitally created interior settings for styling inspiration. Photographs against the neutral background show the actual pieces being offered. See less