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.
Midcentury Earthenware Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Uppsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking earthenware floor vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, glazed semi-translucent white. Decorative embossed graphic pattern. The artist Anna-Lisa Thomson is best known for her stonewar...
Earthenware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Uppsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1937
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Large earthenware vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson in an ample form with a striped pattern. Striking warm yellow glaze with green nuances. The vase is part of the “Expo” series, created fo...
Stoneware
'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
Lovely Art Deco Vase, Upsala Ekeby Ostergren, Sweden, 1930s, Roman Urn Style
By Upsala Ekeby, Harald Östergren
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful beige ceramic vase with handles in shape of a classical roman urn, the vase is designed by Harald Östergren at Upsala Ekeby between 1937-1938. It is 21 cm (8.4") tall and...
Ceramic
Green Art Deco Vase, Upsala Ekeby Ostergren, Sweden, 1930s, Roman Urn Style
By Upsala Ekeby, Harald Östergren
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful green ceramic vase with orange handles in shape of a classical roman urn, the vase is designed by Harald Östergren at Upsala Ekeby between 1937-1938. It is 21 cm (8.4") t...
Ceramic
Midcentury Floor Vase "AX" by Berit Ternell, Ceramic, Sweden, 1950s
By Vicke Lindstrand, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This Floor vase with its a typical Swedish minimalism is a great edition to any room. Produced at Gefle/Upsala Ekeby and designed by Berit Ternell in the 1950s. Good vintage condit...
Ceramic
$1,206Sale Price|30% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 8.67 in
Midcentury Blue Floor Vase by Vicke Lindstrand, 1950s, Sweden
By Upsala Ekeby, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful large blue rare floor vase. Produced at Ekeby and designed by Vicke Lindstand in the 1940s. Its streamline shape makes it perfectly adapted to the modern home. Drilled hol...
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
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
$1,005Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 12.21 in Dm 3.94 in
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Ceramic Vases Upsala-Ekeby "Fiamma" Sweden, 1960s
By Upsala Ekeby, Ingrid Atterberg
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Ingrid Atterberg is the creator of these vases produced in Sweden at Upsala Ekeby in the 1960s. Wonderful sculptured with a nice glaze. Good condition. Dimensions. The large H...
Ceramic
Midcentury Vase by Vicke Lindstrand, 1940s, Sweden
By Upsala Ekeby, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful vase produced at Ekeby and designed by Vicke Lindstand in the 1940s. Its streamline shape makes it perfectly adapted to the modern home. Drilled hole on the top. We also ha...
Ceramic
Large Swedish Floor Vase, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby 1940s Sweden
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large Swedish Floor Vase with Relief Decor, ”Under the surface”, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala-Ekeby 1940s Sweden. Swedish Modern A striking floor vase, manufactured by Swedish porcel...
Ceramic
Uppsala Ekeby Swedish Ceramic Vase by Anna-Lisa Tomson
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Swedish ceramic vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson (1905-1952) for Uppsala Ekeby, in production from 1948-1962. Fabulous handcrafted midcentury design of...
Ceramic
$1,769Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 18.51 in Dm 9.06 in
Pair of Art Deco Floor Vases by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This pair of floor vases were made in Sweden in the 1940s at Ekeby and designed by famous Greta Runeborg. It is made with grace, that makes the curves ...
Ceramic
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A white and blue-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s. Old reference #: 397
Earthenware
$1,487
H 9.85 in Dm 5.12 in
Green Turquoise Ceramic Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s.
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Ingrid Atterberg, Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful earthenware gourd vase with amazing incised pattern. Made by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby in Sweden, 1940s. Excellent condition - no chips, cracks or crazing. Impr...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$1,809Sale Price|30% Off
H 16.93 in Dm 9.85 in
Art Deco Large Vase Ekeby Anna-Lisa Thomson, 1940s, Sweden
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This wonderful and decorative large vase was designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson in the 1940s for Ekeby, Sweden. Its sculptural features and forms are right up to date with any modern look...
Ceramic