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.
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
Green Ceramic Art Deco Globe Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, St Eriks, Sweden, 1930s.
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Malmö, SE
A small and beautiful Art Deco globe vase with amazing glaze. Made by Anna-Lisa Thomson for S:t Eriks Lervarufabriker in Sweden, 1930s. Great condition - no chips, cracks or crazing...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Green Ceramic Art Deco Candlesticks by Anna-Lisa Thomson, St Eriks, Sweden 1930s
By Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Malmö, SE
A pair of beautiful Art Deco candlesticks with amazing glaze. Made by Anna-Lisa Thomson for S:t Eriks Lervarufabriker in Sweden, 1930s. Great condition - no chips, cracks or crazing...
Ceramic, Earthenware
'Paprika' Ceramic Vases (3) by Anna-Lisa Thomson - Upsala Ekeby, Sweden
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
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
Ceramic vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, 1940s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceramic vase model by Anna-Lisa Thomson, 1940s. Produced at Upsala Ekeby, 1940s.
Ceramic
Art Deco Ceramic Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby Sweden, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Rīga, LV
Anna-Lisa Thomson designed this vase for Upsala Ekeby in 1936-1938. Additional information: Country of manufacture: Sweden Period: 1930s Dimensions: 15.5 H cm Diameter: 18 cm Condit...
Ceramic
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s. Mark to body likely production-related.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
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 Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A white and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A white and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
$631Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.46 in W 4.73 in D 4.14 in
Anna-Lisa Thomson 1940s Green Ceramic Vase, Upsala Ekeby, Sweden
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sea foam green art nouveau vase by ceramic artist Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby. Soft shaped shiny glazed ceramic vase, two wavey handles with d...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
An orange and green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
Anna Lisa Thomson Vase Ekeby Sweden Flower Relief White Glaze15 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Basel, BS
Rare and early Anna Lisa Thomson stoneware vase with relief decor, hand crafted at Upsala Ekeby in Sweden in the late 1930s to early 1940s. Beautiful cream white color, shows some p...
Earthenware
Anna Lisa Thomson for St. Erik Uppsala Large Ceramic Bowl, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby, Edvin Ollers
Located in Stockholm, SE
An early ceramic bowl designed by Anna Lisa Thomson for St. Erik Keramik, Uppsala, Sweden, circa 1920–1929. This piece reflects the refined Nordic Art Deco aesthetic, with a rounded ...
Ceramic