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.
'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
Stoneware Floor Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware floor vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, glazed white. Decorative embossed graphic pattern. The artist Anna-Lisa Thomson is best known for her stoneware and earthenware ...
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
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
$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
$2,949
H 20.08 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Anna-Lisa Thomson Floor Vase Model Paprika Produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large ceramic floor vase model Paprika designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden.
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
$1,174
H 5.6 in Dm 5.71 in
Green Ceramic Art Deco Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s
By Ewald Dahlskog, Gefle, Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
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
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
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
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
$349Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in W 7.09 in D 9.06 in
Mari Simmulson, Upsala Ekeby, Bowl "Hedenhös" Porcelain, 1950s
By Mari Simmulson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely ceramic bowl of model "Hedenhös" in green and gray designed between 1957-1960 by Mari Simmulson at Upsala Ekeby. It is 23 x 18 cm in diameter and in mint condition.
Ceramic
Large Blue Bowl by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and 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. Imp...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$3,539
H 22.84 in Dm 9.85 in
Floor vase model "Gramina" by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1950s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Stoneware floor vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala-Ekeby. Model Gramina, characterized by a tall, tapering form and a finely structured surface with vertical r...
Stoneware
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
Sold
H 11.03 in Dm 10.24 in
Midcentury Earthenware jar by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking, oversized earthenware jar by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Plump form with an embossed floral motif. Glased deep green with a lighter hue on the lid.
Ceramic
Anna Lisa Thomson Swedish Art Deco 1930s Art Pottery Table Lamp
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful Swedish Art Deco mottled cream table lamp with dark aged bronze double cluster sockets and fittings. Rewired. The beautiful vase is made by the famed Swedish ceramicist, ...
Ceramic
Stoneware Floor Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware floor vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, glazed white. Decorative embossed graphic pattern.
Ceramic
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Vases, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Scandinavian Modern vases designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson with copper oxide glaze. Made by Upsala Ekeby, circa 1930s. Other pieces available.
Ceramic