The Kingdom of Crystal (Swedish: Glasriket, The glass realm) is a geographical area today containing a total of 15 glassworks in the municipalities of Emmaboda, Nybro, Uppvidinge, Växjö and Lessebo in southern Sweden. Their history can be traced back to the 18th century at least. The glassworks have become part of the culture of Sweden; examples can be found in many Swedish homes, recognizable by a small sticker at the bottom with the name Orrefors, Kosta, etc.
When touring the forested province of Småland in Sweden, it is normal to visit at least one of the glassworks. The larger ones have adjacent museums and are open for visitors to see the glass blowing hall, normally looking down from a platform. Food is available as well as shopping for all kinds of glass products such as glasses, bowls, vases and unique glass ornaments.
The more notable are Orrefors Glasbruk, with the adjacent National School of Glass and Kosta Glasbruk, which is the basis for the Kosta Boda company. Each one of the glassworks have distinctive design traditions, character and atmosphere.
Famous quotes containing the words kingdom of, kingdom and/or crystal:
“The Scripture was written to shew unto men the kingdom of God; and to prepare their minds to become his obedient subjects; leaving the world, and the Philosophy thereof, to the disputation of men, for the exercising of their natural Reason.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)
“It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.”
—Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849)
“Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide for ever,
Flowing by the throne of God?”
—Robert Lowry (1826–1899)