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, Dish, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed dish designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1930s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 2.0"H x 10.375"W x 10.375"D All items ship from High ...
Ceramic
Blue Mermaid and Fish Bowl, "Athene" Series By Anna Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Ceramic Bowl from the "Athene" Series by Anna-Lisa Thompson for Upsala Ekeby This rare bowl, part of the "Athene" series designed by Anna-Lisa Thompson, was produced by Upsala Ekeby...
Earthenware
Anna Lisa Thomson Large Plate or Low Bowl
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Nice plate or low bowl designed by Anna Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, produced in Sweden. Really nice color and shape, has an organic feel. Celadon color is fantastic. Can be hung o...
Ceramic
"Under the Sea, " Large, Rare Art Deco Bowl by Thomson for Upsala Ekeby
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This remarkably large and dramatic low bowl from the Swedish ceramic firm of Upsala-Ekeby was designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson in the late 1940s. Here she depicts seaweed, coral, sea sh...
Clay
$1,158
H 2.27 in Dm 11.62 in
Vintage Swedish Hertha Bengtson for Rörstrand Art Pottery Bowl, 20th Century
By Rörstrand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine vintage Swedish art pottery bowl designed by Hertha Bengtson for Rörstrand. The bowl is glazed with a stylized seed or floral design in contrasting and tubelined design to the inner bowl set on a brown and green mottle glazed ground. With incised maker and HB monogram...
Pottery
Large French Mid Century Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece, Signed
By Apt
Located in Miami, FL
Large French Mid Century Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece, Signed Stunning ceramic or mixed earths piece was made by combining clay slips of light and dark bro...
Earthenware
$795
H 3.5 in W 9.75 in D 11.75 in
Mid Century Free Form Ceramic Bowl by Flora Eckert Hammat, Turquoise Art Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
Mid Century Free Form Ceramic Bowl by Flora Eckert Hammat, Turquoise Art Pottery Stunning naturalistic pottery bowl by an American ceramics artist, Flora Eckert Hammat of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Vivid colors, original organic form. Signed Hammat original...
Ceramic
'Paprika' Ceramic Vases (3) by Anna-Lisa Thomson - Upsala Ekeby, Sweden
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Utrecht, NL
Impressive and rare set of 3 vintage ceramic 'Paprika' (peppers) vases by Swedish designer Anna-Lisa Thomson (1905-1952). Dark brown ceramic vases, worked with Sgraffito technique ...
Ceramic
Revernay French Art Deco Stoneware Bowl, 1920
By Revernay Sarreguemines Digoin
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco stoneware bowl on pedestal by REVERNAY (Digoin), France, 1920s. Height : 12.5cm - 5 inches, Diameter : 21.2cm - 8.3 inches. Marked "Revernay 160 3" under the base (se...
Stoneware
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, Lidded Ceramic Bowl, Swede 1930's
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant lidded ceramic bowl designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, circa 1930s. The piece features a softly rounded bowl in a mottled matte glaze of pale green and b...
Ceramic
Swedish Modern Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1935
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Description: Exceptional stoneware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby in 1935. Produced only in a few examples that year, this piece showcases Thomson’s refined sens...
Ceramic
White Ceramic Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful vase with amazing relief pattern. Designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s. Excellent condition. Impressed 'EKEBY'. Anna-Lisa Thomson (1905-1952) ...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$1,178
H 5.6 in Dm 5.71 in
Green Ceramic Art Deco Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Gefle, Ewald Dahlskog
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful Art Deco vase with amazing relief pattern. Designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s. Great condition. Anna-Lisa Thomson (1905-1952) was born in th...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Blue Bowl by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware bowl with blue glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden. In production 1958-1962. Great condition, only a few light scratches. Impressed wit...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$1,652
H 7.96 in Dm 5.52 in
Green Ceramic Art Deco Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden 1930s.
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby, Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog, Harald Östergren
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful Art Deco earthenware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby in Sweden, 1930s. Great condition - no chips, cracks or crazing. Impressed with ...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Danish Art Pottery Bowl by Herman August Kahler, 20th Century
By Herman August Kähler
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage Danish art pottery shallow bowl with stylised slip floral designs by Herman August Kähler (1846-1917). The rounded bowl stands on ...
Pottery
Sold
H 2.56 in W 13 in D 8.27 in
Swedish Decorative Leaf Dish by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, 1950s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Beautiful dish/ tray designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson, manufactured by Upsala-Ekeby in Sweden during the 1950s. Made from chamotte stoneware. Ceramic in a leaf shape. The bowl is partia...
Stoneware
Swedish Art Deco glazed ceramic footed bowl by Upsala Ekeby
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Art Deco ceramic footed bowl designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson with copper oxide glaze. Made by Upsala Ekeby circa 1930's. Diameter: 10", Height: 6'. Similar pieces available.
Ceramic