Kosta Bergh 1943 Huge Engraved Lead Crystal Vase with Lady Feeding Birds

This impressive vase depicts a beautiful young lady, hand-feeding a pair of birds. Some seed gently falls to the ground in a clever addition to the motif. The vase is very big and heavy, weighing 10.5 pounds and measuring about 9.5" tall and 6.5" across. It has six marvelously planed sides, crisp edges, a rounded rim, and a rounded base. The motif was engraved using the traditional copper-wheel method, and "Kosta B-W 219 Bergh" is marked on the base. The B-W means it comes from a series of Elis Bergh's designs based on illustrations by artist Gunnar Widholm. The vase has expected wear on its base; otherwise it is in fantastic condition.

This vase bears a full-panel inscription dedicated to Gustaf Reinhold Rydeberg, in recognition of his 70th birthday and his 50-year service to Kosta Glasbruk. The dedication is dated, February 5, 1943, so Rydeberg was born in 1873, and he started at Kosta in 1893. Pretty cool.

Between 1928 and 1950, Elis Bergh was the artistic leader of Kosta glass mill . After 1950 until his death in 1954 he appeared as a consultant to Kosta. He came to Kosta for an architectural assignment in which he was to design an interior at the mill. In 1928 he was called back to draw lighting fixtures, an area in which he considered was an authority. As an artistic director he stood for the graceful yet modern design that characterized Kosta's production during the interwar period.