Boda Smide AB, Smaland Travel Guide

Birth of a Craft Legacy

Boda Smide began in 1961 when master blacksmith Axel Strömgren relocated his forge to Boda in Småland. This move coincided with the golden era of local glassworks, setting the stage for innovative craftsmanship. Strömgren's expertise in iron forging met the creative vision of artist Erik Höglund, then working at Boda Glasbruk. Höglund's experiments fusing iron and glass sparked a collaboration that defined the workshop's early success.Their partnership produced striking designs like candlesticks and chandeliers, blending heavy forged iron with delicate glass elements. By the 1960s and 1970s, the operation expanded to employ up to 25 blacksmiths plus support staff, fueling a boom in unique handicraft production.

Artistic Fusion of Iron and Glass

At its core, Boda Smide marries the raw power of blacksmithing with the finesse of glassblowing. Iron is heated and hammered by hand in the Virserum forge, shaped into functional art like lanterns and sconces. Each piece gains individuality from the blacksmith's strength and skill, then receives a blued finish by heating to around 400 degrees Celsius for a protective, atmospheric patina.Glass components are hand-blown, capturing the designer's intent through the glassblower's breath and touch. This manual process ensures no two items are identical, embodying timeless Swedish design principles rooted in Småland's traditions.

Relocation and Continued Tradition

Recently, Boda Smide opened a new chapter by moving its forge to Virserum, maintaining its Småland heritage while adapting to modern needs. All forging now happens here, preserving techniques passed down through generations. The workshop continues collaborations with recognized Swedish designers, creating products that evoke the elemental drama of fire—iron from the forge's heat, glass from the breath of creation.

Iconic Products and Craftsmanship

Standout items include the Oden candle lantern series and Helicon candlesticks, exemplifying the workshop's signature style. These pieces serve everyday purposes while doubling as atmospheric decor, their weighty iron bases contrasting airy glass shades. Visitors encounter the sensory world of the smithy: the clang of hammers, glow of furnaces, and subtle scents of heated metal.

Enduring Swedish Handicraft

Boda Smide stands as a testament to sustainable craftsmanship, producing high-quality objects for lasting use rather than disposability. Its story reflects Småland's industrial artistry, where functionality meets aesthetics in objects that age gracefully. Today, it invites appreciation of hands-on creation in an era of mass production.