A monumental art glass vase from Bertil Vallien's celebrated Satellite series, produced by Kosta Boda in 1992. Combining saturated cobalt blue glass with shimmering silver inclusions and scattered crimson accents, this sculptural vessel evokes the vastness of the night sky—capturing Vallien's fascination with cosmic landscapes, light, and mystery.
Standing an impressive 40 cm high and weighing approximately 4.26 kg, the vase possesses a commanding architectural presence while maintaining the luminous transparency and poetic depth that define Vallien's work.
Introduced in the early 1990s, the Satellite series represents one of Bertil Vallien's most distinctive explorations of colour and internal texture. Rather than treating glass as a transparent material alone, Vallien transforms it into a medium of atmosphere, where suspended metallic inclusions and vibrant pigments appear to float within the mass of the glass.
The elongated bottle form provides a perfect canvas for this celestial composition. Deep cobalt blue serves as the dominant field, interrupted by shimmering silver-toned particles and subtle red inclusions that resemble distant stars or glowing nebulae suspended in space.
As light moves across the surface, the interior appears to shift continuously, creating remarkable optical depth. The vase functions less as a traditional vessel than as a luminous sculptural object whose appearance changes throughout the day.
Bertil Vallien (b. 1938) is one of Scandinavia's most influential contemporary glass artists. Since joining Kosta Boda in the 1960s, he has transformed Swedish studio glass through a deeply personal artistic language inspired by archaeology, mythology, architecture, and the cosmos.
His sculptures and vessels are represented in major museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and Sweden's Nationalmuseum.
The Satellite series remains among his most recognisable and sought-after decorative glass collections.
Designer: Bertil Vallien
Manufacturer: Kosta Boda
Series: Satellite
Model: 89254
Origin: Sweden
Date: 1992
Material: Art glass
Colors: Cobalt blue with silver-toned and red inclusions
Height: 40 cm
Width: 25 cm
Depth: 11 cm
Weight: Approx. 4.26 kg
Very good vintage condition with minimal traces of age and handling. No visible chips, cracks, or restorations.
The original Kosta Boda factory sticker remains preserved.
Authentic Satellite series by Bertil Vallien
Large, monumental 40 cm example
Original Kosta Boda factory label retained
Rich cobalt blue glass with metallic and red inclusions
Superb optical depth and luminous surface
Highly decorative Scandinavian studio glass
Increasingly collectible work by one of Sweden's foremost glass artists
The Satellite series occupies a special place within Bertil Vallien's oeuvre, bridging functional design and sculptural art. This large example demonstrates the exceptional quality of Kosta Boda's glassmaking during the early 1990s, where colour, light, and internal texture merge into a poetic meditation on space and atmosphere.
Whether placed near natural light or against a darker background, the vase continually transforms, becoming an illuminated object rather than simply a container. It pairs beautifully with smoked glass, chrome, dark stone, and minimalist interiors, where its celestial palette and sculptural silhouette can be fully appreciated.
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases and collectible Scandinavian art glass.
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All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minor traces of age and handling; any significant flaws will always be clearly described and illustrated.