Vintage carafe Bonbon – Kosta Boda – Kjell Engman

A Kosta Boda “Bon Bon” carafe is a vivid piece of Swedish art glass—typically thick, sculptural, and “candy-colored,” with swirls or patches of bright blues, oranges, greens, and yellows. Many examples attributed to Kjell Engman are signed and numbered on the underside, which is one of the best starting points for authentication.

This page migrates a short legacy WordPress appraisal stub into a public collector guide. It’s written for owners who want to answer practical questions like: how to confirm the maker, what condition issues matter most, and how a realistic auction value compares with an insurance or retail replacement value.

Important: appraisal values are specific to a single, photographed object. Even within the “Bon Bon” naming, prices can swing widely based on size, rarity, edition numbering, and condition.

Quick value snapshot (US$)

The legacy appraisal stub attached to this keyword described a Kosta Boda Kjell Engman “Bon Bon” carafe and gave an appraisal band of:

US$600–$700

That figure can be plausible for an insurance replacement or retail asking context (especially for larger, signed/numbered examples in excellent condition), but it won’t always match what a similar piece achieves at a general auction.

As a practical market shorthand, owners often see bands like these:

If you need a price that’s defensible for an estate, insurance rider, or a high-confidence listing, the two fastest levers are: (1) prove attribution (signature/label/edition) and (2) document condition (especially the rim and spout).

What “Bon Bon” usually means (and what it doesn’t)

On online marketplaces, “Bon Bon” is sometimes used loosely for any colorful Swedish art glass pitcher. For appraisal purposes, treat the name as a lead, not proof.

• Good sign: “Kosta Boda” and “Kjell Engman” etched on the base, sometimes with an edition number.
• Also common: Kosta Boda pieces with paper labels but faint (or no) visible etching.
• Red flag: sellers claiming “Bon Bon by Engman” with no underside photo, or confusing Kosta Boda with Orrefors/other Scandinavian brands.

If you only take one photo for authentication, take the underside in sharp focus, angled raking light, and high resolution.

Identification checklist: shape, color, and base markings

Most “Bon Bon”-style carafes share a few visual cues: thick glass, a sculptural profile (often with an asymmetrical rim or pinched spout), and vivid candy-like color patches or swirls. But identification depends on matching those aesthetics to hard evidence.

• Silhouette: photograph the full profile straight-on (include handle and spout).
• Color layout: note whether colors are layered, swirled, or appear as controlled “islands.”
• Handle join: look for clean integration and no stress cracks where the handle meets the body.
• Base: show wear patterns, scratches, and (most importantly) any etched signature/number.
• Label: an intact Kosta Boda label helps, but labels can be swapped or lost.

Signature and numbering: how to read the underside

Kosta Boda studio/artist collection pieces are often signed by diamond-point etching. The signature can be faint—especially if the base has been polished or if the camera is shooting straight down without raking light.

Tips that usually improve legibility:

• Photograph the base at an angle with a single strong light source from the side (a desk lamp works).
• Wipe fingerprints with a microfiber cloth; oils can hide light etching.
• Take one “macro” shot and one wider shot showing the whole base so the mark’s placement is clear.
• If you see a number, include it in listings—it signals an artist edition and tends to raise buyer confidence.

If the piece is signed but not numbered, it can still be authentic; numbering varies by series and production run. In that case, clear photos plus comparable examples matter more.

Condition issues that move the price the most

For art glass, condition discounts are steep because chips and cracks are hard to repair invisibly. Buyers pay for clarity (no haze) and clean edges (no rim damage).

• Rim/spout chips: the most common value-killer; even tiny flea bites can matter.
• Handle stress: look closely where the handle meets the body for hairlines.
• Interior cloudiness: minerals or etching from improper cleaning can reduce “pop.”
• Base wear: light shelf wear is normal, but deep scratches can suggest heavy use.
• Polishing/reshaping: a ground or polished rim can remove original form and lower value.

When selling, disclose chips honestly. Many buyers will still purchase a damaged piece, but they will price it like a decorator object rather than a collectible studio-glass example.

Auction comp context (recent public sales)

To ground the price range in real sales, we pulled comparable public auction results from the Appraisily auctions dataset for Kjell Engman / Kosta Boda pieces. These aren’t all “Bon Bon” series items, but they show how the market treats signed Engman glass across categories.

How to interpret comps:

• Auction hammer ≠ retail: the hammer price is usually below what a gallery or curated shop asks.
• Carafes vary: a rarer form, more dramatic colorway, or a numbered edition can move the result meaningfully.
• Condition drives everything: rim chips can cut value in half (or more), even when signed.

If your specific piece matches the “Bon Bon” series closely and is in excellent condition, it may price above these general comps—especially in an insurance replacement or boutique retail context.

How to sell a signed Kosta Boda carafe

Venue selection matters because art glass buyers want strong photos and trustworthy attribution.

• Online marketplaces (largest audience): eBay and similar platforms work well if you can photograph the signature clearly and pack safely.
• Studio glass dealers / consignment: better storytelling and higher asking prices, but fees are higher.
• Auction: a good option when you have multiple pieces or when the piece is clearly signed/numbered and photogenic.

Listing checklist:

• State height, widest diameter, and weight if possible.
• Include at least one photo of the underside where the signature/number is readable.
• Describe condition with plain language (chips, scratches, haze) and show each issue in a close-up.

Shipping and packing tips (glass)

Most returns for art glass happen because of packing, not description. Assume the box will be dropped.

• Wrap the carafe in multiple layers of bubble wrap, protecting the rim/spout and handle with extra padding.
• Use a double-box: inner box tightly packed, then a second outer box with cushioning on all sides.
• Avoid packing peanuts touching the glass directly; they shift and can expose edges.
• Insure shipments and photograph the packing process for documentation.

FAQ

Is the “Bon Bon” name always used consistently?

No. Some sellers use “Bon Bon” as a shorthand for colorful Swedish art glass. For appraisal, attribution should rely on the underside signature/number and comparison to documented examples.

Does a missing label reduce value?

It can, but a clear etched signature matters more than a paper label. Labels are helpful supporting evidence when the etching is faint.

Can I clean haze from inside the glass?

Sometimes. Mineral deposits can respond to soaking and gentle cleaning, but true etching/cloudiness from harsh chemicals is permanent. Avoid abrasive cleaners on collectible studio glass.

What photos should I take for an online appraisal?

Full profile, rim/spout closeups, handle joins, the underside signature/number, and any chips or interior haze—plus measurements.

References

• Appraisily internal appraisal archives (legacy WordPress appraisal stub)
• Appraisily auctions dataset (search: Kjell Engman / Kosta Boda, art-glass vertical)