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.
Blue Stoneware Miniature Vase by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg Studio Sweden 1960s
By Stig Lindberg, Wilhelm Kage, Berndt Friberg, Gunnar Nylund, 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
Swedish Ceramic Vase in Blue Hare’s Fur Glaze by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
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
Ceramic Bowl in Hare fur glaze, 1960's
By Gustavsberg
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic Bowl in Hare fur glaze, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Hare fur glaze, ceramic Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Gustavsberg in ...
Ceramic
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. Stamped with...
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
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
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
“Veckla” Bowl by Stig Lindberg
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking, large “Veckla” bowl by Stig Lindberg. Rare model with the characteristic, smoothly folded design. Made in carrara stoneware.
Stoneware
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
Scandinavian Modern "Kreta" Vase By Britt-Louise Sundell For Gustavsberg Studio
By Britt-Louise Sundell, Gustavsberg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian modern, art pottery "Kreta" pattern vase by Britt-Louise Sundell for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden in ecru and brown. The mouth opening measures 2 inches.
Ceramic
“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
Wilhelm Kage Plate ceramic "Argenta" Gustavsberg Sweden 1950s. Marked
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Paris, IDF
Wilhelm Kåge, square plate in ceramic "Argenta" Gustavsberg, 1950s. Green glaze stoneware with silver decoration of fish. Dimensions approximately 29 x 29 cm. Inscription on the bott...
Silver
Farsta Bowl by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Studio
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
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
Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, The Våga Series, Medium White Vase, Sweden c. 1940
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
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
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
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
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
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
Stoneware Sculpture by Bengt Berglund for Gustavsberg, 1960s
By Bengt Berglund, Gustavsberg
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
Bowl 'Veckla' Designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bowl Veckla designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. 1950s. Stoneware. Dimensions: H: 16 cm/ 6 1/4'' L: 29 cm/ 11 1/2'' Stig Lindberg’s “Veckla...
Stoneware
Farsta Vase by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Studio, 1952
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
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
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