Swedish master ceramicist Anna-Lisa Thomson introduced a spirit to pottery in ways that had not yet been seen before her time. Best known for her "Paprika" series, Thomson brought an expert eye for simple beauty and quiet elegance to the glazed and unglazed surfaces of her tall, slender vases and other decorative objects.
Thomson’s love of experimentation with new techniques and materials — especially glazes — lent an unparalleled level of distinction to her works. She often drew her inspiration from bodies of water and the natural world, which is evident in the smooth flow of lines and aquatic luster present in many of her finished pieces.
Thomson was born in 1905 in Karlskrona, Sweden. She studied at the Technical School in Stockholm, completing her schooling in 1924. Shortly after completing her studies, Thomson joined St. Eriks Lervarufabriker in Upsala, and became their artistic director within two years. To this day, she remains the most prominent creator associated with the company's name.
In the 1930s, Thomson joined Upsala Ekeby, where, alongside preeminent ceramic designers Sven Erik Skawonius and Vicke Lindstrand, she changed the course of the company's ceramics division. During her time with Upsala Ekeby, Thomson adopted an ancient Grecian style, adding classic images of doves to her vases and urns in homage to the goddess Athena. She also worked at Gefle Porslinsfabrik.
Thomson spent the last years of her life at her cottage in Grundsund on Sweden's west coast, where she turned her artistic attention to abstract painting. Many of her paintings grace the pages of the poetry book Eko av dagars ljusa klang (Echo of Day Bright Sound), which was published in 1953.
On 1stDibs, find Anna-Lisa Thomson ceramic vases, lighting and serveware.
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Floor Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware floor vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and brown-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Table Lamps, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white-glazed earthenware table lamps designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 12” H x 4.5” Diameter Dimensio...
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A blue and white-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thompson, and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Ceramic, Earthenware
White Ceramic Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1951-1952.
By Upsala Ekeby, Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Ingrid Atterberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful earthenware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby in Sweden, 1951-1952. Great condition - no chips, cracks or crazing. Impressed with maker...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Blue-Glazed Earthenware, Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
This vase was created by Anna-Lisa Thomson in the 1940s for Upsala-Ekeby, a company in Sweden known for their expertise in blue-glazed earthenware. All items ship from High Point, N...
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Table Lamp, Ceramic, Gefle, Sweden, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic table lamp designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Gefle, Sweden, 1930s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 11.62" Height x 6.5" Diameter Dimensions of Shade...
Ceramic
Terracotta, White Ceramic Floor Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Sweden
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Large Swedish ceramic floor vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Manufactured by Upsala-Ekeby in Uppsala, Sweden circa 1940s. The vase is made from glazed earthenware with a hand draw...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful abd rare vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s. Excellent condition. Impressed 'EKEBY' and '18'. Anna-Lisa Thomson (1905-1952) was born in the sout...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson Paprika Vases for Upsala Ekby, Sweden
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in San Francisco, CA
Anna-Lisa Thomson design Paprika ceramic vases for Upsala-Ekby, Sweden.
Ceramic
Anna-Lisa Thomson Vase Produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare ceramic vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden.
Ceramic
Ceramic Table Lamp by Anna-Lisa Thomson, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceramic table lamp model '208' by Anna-Lisa Thomson, 1940s. Produced at Upsala Ekeby, 1940s.
Ceramic