The Gustavsberg porcelain factory was, for many decades, the largest ceramics maker in Sweden and home to some of the most innovative and ingenious makers of the past century. The company, founded in 1825, mass-produced a wide range of products: first decorative household items and tableware in the English style and later bathroom fixtures, including the first pressed-steel bathtubs that would oust heavy cast iron. But of first interest to collectors are the remarkable decorative works created in the Gustavsberg art pottery studio, in particular those by master ceramists Wilhelm Kåge, Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Gustavsberg began producing some individually crafted, highly decorated and richly glazed pieces in the 1860s. While the forms of their mass-produced vessels and plates derived from English, Continental and Asian styles, a select few painters won acclaim for their personal artistry. Gunnar Wennerberg became known for his work in the organic Art Nouveau style, and Josef Ekberg, the company’s design chief from 1908 to 1917, was revered for his expert use of iridescent lusterware glazes and the sgraffito technique, in which a decorative pattern is incised in the surface of a clay pot before it is glazed and fired.
It was not until Ekberg’s successor, Wilhelm Kåge, opened Gustavsberg’s first dedicated art pottery studio that the work became widely recognized. Kåge’s “Argenta” series, which encompasses a variety of vessels coated with an oxidized green glaze and decorated in silver motifs, remains popular. Though perhaps his most striking works are his “Surrea” vases — white bisque porcelain in off-kilter forms inspired by Cubist paintings — and his “Farsta” wares, which include totemic, spindly footed stoneware vases and bowls with textured surfaces, glazed in brown, green and blue.
Kåge’s finest protégés, Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg, took over from Kåge as Gustavsberg’s design directors in 1945. Friberg was a master potter. He threw elegant, simple, symmetrical vases and bowls painstakingly coated in layer after layer of matte glazing to achieve a classic striated effect known as “rabbit’s fur.” Lindberg’s highly collectible studio ceramics fall into two principal categories: The first is made of white porcelain pieces in round, biomorphic or stylized natural forms. The second includes weightier vases — many with textured bodies and applied decorations — glazed in deep, earthy colors. As you will see from the works on these pages, Gustavsberg was a bastion of creativity and precise artistry that turned out a remarkable range of works whose style still resonates with lovers of Scandinavian design.
Stoneware Miniature Bowl by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Stig Lindberg, Wilhelm Kage, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful miniature stoneware bowl with amazing glossy glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. Great condition. Incise...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Blue Stoneware Miniature Vase by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg Studio Sweden 1960s
By Stig Lindberg, Wilhelm Kage, Gunnar Nylund, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful miniature stoneware vase with amazing blue and brown hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. Great...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Wilhelm Kage stoneware vase "Argenta Celadon" for Gustavsberg, model 1602
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in New York, NY
This stoneware vase "Argenta Celadon" for Gustavsberg, model 1602 is decorated with a celadon-colored glaze and silver accents. It is hand-cranked and deep-stamped. Wilhelm Kåge was...
Ceramic
Green Orrefors Crystal Glass Vase, Sweden, 1960
By Gustavsberg
Located in Bronx, NY
Orrefors crystal glass vase drop shaped inner is an earthy amber surrounded by a thick layer of clear glass, almost massive except from the mi...
Crystal
Bowl 'Farsta' designed by Willhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1959
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Stockholm, SE
The Farsta series by Wilhelm Kåge, produced between 1930 and 1960 at the Gustavsberg studio is one of his most exclusive and celebrated series. Characterised by sculptural forms and ...
Stoneware
Set of 2 White 'Vaga' Bowls by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s.
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of two beautiful 'Våga' bowls. Stoneware with white 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Swedish Grace. Great condition. Stamped with...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Set of 2 White 'Vaga' Bowls by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s.
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of two beautiful 'Våga' bowls. Stoneware with white 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Swedish Grace. Great condition. Impressed wi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware "Gnurgla" Vase by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely miniature stoneware vase by Stig Lindberg, model called “Gnurgla”. Unique, in a whimsical, smooth drop form. Glazed glossy nuances of rich brown.
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware "Gnurgla" Vase by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking stoneware vase by Stig Lindberg, model called “Gnurgla”. Unique, in a whimsical, drawn out drop form. Glazed glossy, rich aubergine purple.
Stoneware
Unique White Stoneware Vase by Stig Lindberg. Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden 1960s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and unique stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Stig Lindberg in Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden. 1960s. Excellent condition. Incised "Stig L" and Gustavsberg studio ha...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Set of 2 White 'Vaga' Bowls by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
Set of 2 beautiful 'Våga' bowls. Stoneware with 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. 'Swedish Modern'. Excellent condition. Stamped 'Gusta...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Faience Vase by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1966
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful faience vase with amazing decor. Designed by Stig Lindberg in Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1966. Excellent condition. Signed with the Gustavsberg studio hand. Stig Lindb...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience
White 'Surrea' Vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful 'Surrea' stoneware vase with 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg in Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. Stamped 'Gustavsberg / SURREA'. Wilhelm Kåge...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Set of 2 White 'Surrea' Vases by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of 2 beautiful 'Surrea' stoneware vases with 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Great condition. Wilhelm Kåge was a Swedish artis...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Stoneware Vase by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Stig Lindberg in Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden. 1950s. Excellent condition. Impressed "Stig L.", "Drejargods" and Gustavsberg stu...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Stoneware Vase by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Stig Lindberg in Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden. 1950s. Excellent condition. Impressed "Stig L.", "Drejargods" and Gustavsberg stu...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Brown Hare's Fur Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1956
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Tall stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg in an elegant, drawn out bulbous shape. Warm brown hare’s fur glaze blends into beige tones. Signed "Friberg,...
Stoneware
Swedish Ceramic Vase in Blue Hare’s Fur Glaze by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the 1953 Berndt Friberg vase in mint condition from Gustavsberg. It comes in a beautiful hare’s fur glaze in a shade of blue that changes depending on from what direction th...
Ceramic
Stoneware "Veckla" Vase by Stig Lindberg
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Veckla” vase by Stig Lindberg, made in white Carrara stoneware. Unique, innovative design where the clay is folded inwards in a very sensual way. The “Vec...
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware 'Pungo' Vase by Stig Lindberg
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Pungo” vase by Stig Lindberg, made in smooth Carrara glazed stoneware. This is a very rare piece in the “Pungo” series, which was produced between 1953 and 1964. Beautiful, clean li...
Stoneware
Lidded vessel designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lidded vessel designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s. Earthenware. Signed. Stig Lindberg was one of the most influential Swedish ceramics designers of the post-w...
Earthenware
Large ceramic Urne by Lisa Larson Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1980
By Gustavsberg
Located in Bronx, NY
Large Ceramic Urne by Lisa Larson Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1980 overall gray with a lid handle in an organically shape with various colors t...
Ceramic
Wilhelm Kåge Argenta Green Stoneware and Silver Footed Bowl, Gustavsberg, 1949
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Berlin, DE
Wilhelm Kåge Argenta footed bowl, model 927 I, produced by Gustavsberg in Sweden in 1949. Made from glazed stoneware, the bowl pairs the series’ characteristic mottled emerald-green ...
Ceramic
Gustavsberg Vase, Sweden, 1940
By Gustavsberg
Located in Bronx, NY
Green ceramic vase by Gustavsberg Sweden quartz colored green with silver inlays surround the top of the rim with motif of fish silver inlayed ...
Ceramic
Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, The Våga Series, Medium White Vase, Sweden c. 1940
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in New York, NY
In 1917, Gustavsberg hired Kåge to make its dinnerware and other everyday products more beautiful—he would serve as the company's Artistic Director until 1948. During this fruitful p...
Ceramic
Farsta Vase by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Studio, 1952
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A tall ‘Farsta’ high fired stoneware vase hand crafted by Wilhelm Kage from the limited production G Studio unit of Gustavsberg Pottery of which Kage was its art director. Kage produ...
Stoneware
“Veckla” Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg 1950's
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Örebro, SE
Lovely “Veckla” bowl by Stig Lindberg, white carrara stoneware. Folded form. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use. Blemishes.
Stoneware
$692Sale Price|20% Off
Stig Lindberg Vase
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Chicago, IL
Painted Ceramic vase. Signed on underside. This item is currently on view in our NYC Greenwich Street Location.
Ceramic
Three Scandinavian Modern "Wave" 'Våga' Vase by Wilhelm Kåge, Gustavsberg Sweden
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Three Scandinavian Modern, "Swedish Modern" Våga vase with Carrara glaze. Designed by Wilhelm Kåge, circa 1930s. Made in Gustavsberg, Sweden. Marked with Gustavsberg logo. The vases ...
Stoneware
Vase ‘Surrea’ designed by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase ‘Surrea’ designed by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s. Stoneware with Carrara glaze. The ‘Surrea’ vase was made by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg in 1940. The Swede b...
Stoneware
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Vase with Handle by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1940s, Sweden. Handled Vase by Wilhelm Kåge from his Argenta collection of stoneware produced for the Gustavsberg Factory. Speckled turquoise glaze with silver leaf arrow along the v...
Stoneware
Farsta Bowl by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Studio
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A large, glazed stoneware Farsta bowl with hand inscribed Asian calligraphic inspired decoration. Signed 'Kage,' Studio Gustavsberg,' on underside, a...
Stoneware
Stoneware Vase “Veckla” Designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase “Veckla” designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s. Ceramic. Measurements: H: 36 cm/ 1' 4" D :17 cm/ 6 3/4". Stig Lindberg’s “Veckla...
Stoneware
'Farsta’ vase designed by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Sweden, 1957
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Stockholm, SE
'Farsta’ vase designed by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Sweden, 1957 Stoneware. Signed 'FARSTA KÅGE Å' H: 28.5 cm/ 11 1/4" D: 10 cm/ 3 7/8".
Stoneware
Stoneware Sculpture by Bengt Berglund for Gustavsberg, 1960s
By Gustavsberg, Bengt Berglund
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand built sculpture made of stamped, stained and glazed stoneware slabs. Signed 'B. Berglund' with Gustavsberg Sweden sticker numbered '47'.
Ceramic
Price Upon Request
Mid-Century Modern Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg, 1962
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wheel-thrown stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg. Known for its collaborations with master ceramists like Friberg, Gustavsberg was a cornerstone of Scandinavian design...
Stoneware