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 Blue Athene Ceramic Mermaid Bowl, Upsala-Ekeby Sweden, 1950s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Anna-Lisa Thomson ceramic bowl from the Athene series for Upsala-Ekeby, 1950–1953. Featuring a surrealist mermaid motif glazed in rich blue haresfur on earthenware. DESIGN, AESTHETI...
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson Upsala Ekeby Lidded Bowl, Sweden 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Exceptional Swedish Art Deco lidded ceramic bowl designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, dating to the 1930s. This sculptural piece features a softly rounded form finished i...
Ceramic
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
"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
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
Upsala Ekeby, Bowl, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A cream-white and orange glazed earthenware bowl produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1930s. Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 4.0"H x 10.5"W x 10.0"D ...
Earthenware
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
Anna Lisa Thomson Vase Green Relief Ekeby Sweden 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Basel, BS
Anna-Lisa Thomson stoneware vase, hand-thrown in Sweden in the mid to late 1930s at Ekeby ceramic factory. Relief structured turquoise-green glaze, signed with the artists initials ...
Stoneware
$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
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Swedish Ceramic Vase, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A refined ceramic vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, circa 1940s. This sculptural piece embodies Thomson’s signature balance of organic softness and moderni...
Ceramic
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby Ceramic Vase, Sweden, Art Deco, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Stockholm, SE
A striking Swedish Art Deco stoneware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby in the 1930s. Featuring a rounded, ribbed body with a flared trumpet-shaped neck, the vase i...
Stoneware
Green Ceramic Art Deco Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, St Eriks, Sweden, 1930s.
By Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful Art Deco vase with amazing glaze. Made by Anna-Lisa Thomson for S:t Eriks Lervarufabriker in Sweden, 1930s. Great condition - no chips, cracks or crazing. Impressed with...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$1,133
H 5.6 in Dm 5.71 in
Green Ceramic Art Deco Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Ewald Dahlskog, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Gefle
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
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, Art Deco Ceramic Vase, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant Swedish Art Deco ceramic vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby in the 1930s. The vase features a beautifully ribbed, organic form with a softly scalloped rim, f...
Ceramic
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby Art Deco Ceramic Vase, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural Swedish Art Deco ceramic vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, dating to the 1930s. This distinctive piece features a rounded, horizontally ribbed body in a richly...
Stoneware
$1,588
H 7.96 in Dm 5.52 in
Green Ceramic Art Deco Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden 1930s.
By Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog, Upsala Ekeby, Harald Östergren, Anna-Lisa Thomson
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
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
White Ceramic Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
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
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.75 in Dm 6.75 in
Antique Peters & Reed Zanesville Arts & Crafts Matte Green Art Pottery Bowl Vase
By Zanesville Stoneware Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful Arts & Crafts green matte art pottery bowl made by Peters & Reed in Zanesville, Ohio. Dates from the early 1900s. Wonderful color and shape...
Pottery
Sold
H 4.73 in Dm 13 in
Swedish Art Deco Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Bowl by Anna-Lisa Thomson for St. Erik
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A striking Swedish Art Deco ceramic centerpiece designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson for St. Erik Keramik, Uppsala, circa 1930s. This sculptural bowl exemplifies Thomson’s refined Nordic mo...
Ceramic
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