Ulrica Hydman-Vallien-painted Kosta Boda Vase, ca.
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GUEST:
I got this from my mom. She always told me that this was a one-of-a-kind piece. I never really believed her until I found the little thing that came along with it. And, sure enough, it is one of a kind. I know that it was made in Sweden by Kosta Boda, but other than that, I know nothing about it.
APPRAISER:
The piece was made by Kosta Boda...
GUEST:
Uh-huh.
APPRAISER:
...probably in the early '80s, and it was decorated and designed by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien. Kosta Boda would have blown the glass and then she would have painted directly on it.
GUEST:
Oh, I see.
APPRAISER:
Ulrica was one of the very important Swedish women artists, uh, who were working in the 1970s and the 1980s, and actually, until her recent death. This is really wild, this particular piece...
GUEST:
(laughing): Yes.
APPRAISER:
...because I was looking at it and there, there are all these lovely animals. You see things that look like rats, dogs, wolves. It's certainly a unique piece just based on the decoration and also the asymmetry of the piece.
GUEST:
Mm.
APPRAISER:
And of course, on the underside, we even have the signature where it says that it's unique.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm. Right.
APPRAISER:
I like its exuberance. It's, like, kind of exuberant and creepy at the same time.
GUEST:
(laughing): Yes, true.
APPRAISER:
From a decorative standpoint, and the fact that she's considered to be very important...
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
...I would say in the neighborhood of maybe $1,500 to $2,500.
GUEST:
Oh, my, that's amazing.
APPRAISER:
In a retail shop.
GUEST:
(chuckling) Oh, okay. Oh, my goodness. Well, jeez, thanks so much.
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