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Gustavsberg Pitchers

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.

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Creator: Gustavsberg
Victorian Majolica Pitcher, Gustavsberg, Cobalt Relief, 19th Century
Victorian Majolica Pitcher, Gustavsberg, Cobalt Relief, 19th Century

Victorian Majolica Pitcher, Gustavsberg, Cobalt Relief, 19th Century

By Gustavsberg

Located in Valencia, VC

Early Gustavsberg Victorian Majolica Pitcher – Cobalt Relief on Ivory Crackle Glaze This early Gustavsberg Victorian majolica pitcher is a fine example of 19th-century Scandinavian ...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Majolica, Porcelain, Stoneware

Stig Lindberg Terma Pitcher for Gustavsberg
Stig Lindberg Terma Pitcher for Gustavsberg

Stig Lindberg Terma Pitcher for Gustavsberg

By Gustavsberg

Located in Chicago, IL

Dark purple toned pitcher. Stamped on underside.

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Ceramic

Carl-arne Breger Plastic Watering Cans Pitchers Gustavsberg Sweden Black White
Carl-arne Breger Plastic Watering Cans Pitchers Gustavsberg Sweden Black White

Carl-arne Breger Plastic Watering Cans Pitchers Gustavsberg Sweden Black White

By Gustavsberg, Carl-arne Breger

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Pair of sculptural. Very good vintage condition, one retains paper label.

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Plastic

Related Items
Stig Lindberg, Coq, Gustavsberg
Stig Lindberg, Coq, Gustavsberg

Stig Lindberg, Coq, Gustavsberg

$75Sale Price / set|24% Off

H 2.64 in Dm 3.63 in

Stig Lindberg, Coq, Gustavsberg

By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg

Located in MAASTRICHT, LI

Product Description: The coq-series by Stig Lindberg is very appealing to the eye. The light-brown color will make it look good on almost any table. Interesting is that the black de...

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Late 20th Century Swedish Gustavsberg Pitchers

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Porcelain

Stig Lindberg, Fajans, Gustavsberg, Plate, 1940s - 1960s
Stig Lindberg, Fajans, Gustavsberg, Plate, 1940s - 1960s

Stig Lindberg, Fajans, Gustavsberg, Plate, 1940s - 1960s

By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg

Located in MAASTRICHT, LI

Product description: This faience earthenware piece was designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg. His faience pieces are decorated by a total of 36 different painters, this particu...

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Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gustavsberg Pitchers

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Earthenware, Faience, Ceramic

Gunnar Ander Water Pitcher by Ystad Metall, Sweden 1960's
Gunnar Ander Water Pitcher by Ystad Metall, Sweden 1960's

Gunnar Ander Water Pitcher by Ystad Metall, Sweden 1960's

By Gunnar Ander

Located in Den Haag, NL

Gunnar Ander Water Pitcher by Ystad Metall, Sweden 1960's.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Italian Majolica Dog Pitcher Nove Di Bassano
19th Century Italian Majolica Dog Pitcher Nove Di Bassano

19th Century Italian Majolica Dog Pitcher Nove Di Bassano

By Nove di Bassano

Located in Austin, TX

19th century Italian Majolica Dog Pitcher Nove Di Bassano. signed Giovanni Battista Viero GBV.

Category

1890s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Shiny Black 1960s Rörstrand Vintage Pitcher Vase, Sweden
Shiny Black 1960s Rörstrand Vintage Pitcher Vase, Sweden

Shiny Black 1960s Rörstrand Vintage Pitcher Vase, Sweden

$292Sale Price|50% Off

H 7.88 in Dm 3.55 in

Shiny Black 1960s Rörstrand Vintage Pitcher Vase, Sweden

By Rörstrand

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Black porcelain midcentury modern pitcher vase with large handle and lined relief decor manufactured by Rörstrand in the 1960s. Stamped unde...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Porcelain

Harald Östergren, Vase / Pitcher Glazed Earthenware, Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s
Harald Östergren, Vase / Pitcher Glazed Earthenware, Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s

Harald Östergren, Vase / Pitcher Glazed Earthenware, Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s

By Upsala Ekeby, Harald Östergren

Located in High Point, NC

A beige and red, glazed earthenware vase designed by Harald Östergren and produced by Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1930s.

Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Earthenware

Sterling Water Pitcher
Sterling Water Pitcher

Sterling Water Pitcher

$1,900

H 9 in Dm 7 in

Sterling Water Pitcher

By Reed & Barton

Located in Brooklyn, NY

There isn’t much in the way of decoration but the shape and style of this water pitcher is fabulous. Notice the curved body juxtaposed against the straight handle. There’s a ribbing pattern along the neck that’s complimented in the lines and curl in the handle. The spout is narrow, which is helpful when pouring. There is an Old English letter L monogram...

Category

1940s American Vintage Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher
19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher

19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher

$520Sale Price|34% Off

H 13 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in

19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher

By Saint-Clément

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

An unusual and very quirky vintage Majolica barbotine water or wine pitcher in the shape of a mallard duck, made by Keller et Guérin's earthenware factory at Saint Clément, near Luné...

Category

19th Century French Antique Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Faience, Majolica

19th Century French Orchies Majolica Rabbit Pitcher
19th Century French Orchies Majolica Rabbit Pitcher

19th Century French Orchies Majolica Rabbit Pitcher

$1,795

H 9.75 in W 7.25 in D 4.5 in

19th Century French Orchies Majolica Rabbit Pitcher

By Orchies

Located in Pearland, TX

A rare French majolica barbotine rabbit pitcher by Orchies, circa 1890. Model number LP2 on reverse. This highly collectible pitcher is depicted as a wh...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Majolica

Mid-19th Century American Victorian Silver Plated Pitcher on Stand
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Silver Plated Pitcher on Stand

Mid-19th Century American Victorian Silver Plated Pitcher on Stand

Located in Forney, TX

A magnificent classical American fancy silver plated ice water pitcher and swing stand serving set. Circa 1860s Exquisitely crafted in the mid-19th cent...

Category

Mid-19th Century American High Victorian Antique Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century French Pitcher
19th Century French Pitcher

19th Century French Pitcher

$330

H 6.75 in W 6.75 in D 4.5 in

19th Century French Pitcher

Located in Stockbridge, GA

19th century French Jersey pitcher.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Ceramic

Large 19th Century Majolica Artichoke Pitcher Wasmuel
Large 19th Century Majolica Artichoke Pitcher Wasmuel

Large 19th Century Majolica Artichoke Pitcher Wasmuel

By Wasmuel Majolica

Located in Austin, TX

Large 19th Century Majolica artichoke Pitcher Wasmuel.

Category

1890s Belgian Rustic Antique Gustavsberg Pitchers

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Ceramic

Previously Available Items
Pitcher Porcelain Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, Berså / Bersa Green Leafs
Pitcher Porcelain Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, Berså / Bersa Green Leafs

Pitcher Porcelain Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, Berså / Bersa Green Leafs

By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg

Located in Stockholm, SE

A pitcher in porcelain in the very famous pattern Berså designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg. It is 15 cm in diameter and 12,5 cm high. It is in very good condition except from s...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Porcelain

Carl-Arne Breger, Plastic Water Pitcher, Gustavsberg, 1950s
Carl-Arne Breger, Plastic Water Pitcher, Gustavsberg, 1950s

Carl-Arne Breger, Plastic Water Pitcher, Gustavsberg, 1950s

By Carl-arne Breger, Gustavsberg

Located in Uppsala, SE

Red plastic water pitcher designed by Carl-arne Breger in 1959. The model was very popular but was only produced for a few years since problems occurred during the manufacturing with...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Plastic

Fontana Water Pitcher by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, circa 1970
Fontana Water Pitcher by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, circa 1970

Fontana Water Pitcher by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, circa 1970

By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg

Located in Uppsala, SE

Fontana water pitcher by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg. Made of see-through red plastic with a white plastic handle. The model was only produced between 1967-1972 and are nowadays co...

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Plastic

Stig Lindberg Terma Tea Pot
Stig Lindberg Terma Tea Pot

Stig Lindberg Terma Tea Pot

Sold

H 9 in W 7 in D 6 in

Stig Lindberg Terma Tea Pot

By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg

Located in Chicago, IL

Glazed ceramic Terma series tea pot with bent bamboo handle.

Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gustavsberg Pitchers

Art Deco Pair of Ceramic and Silver Pitchers Gustavsberg Argenta, Sweden
Art Deco Pair of Ceramic and Silver Pitchers Gustavsberg Argenta, Sweden

Art Deco Pair of Ceramic and Silver Pitchers Gustavsberg Argenta, Sweden

By Gustavsberg

Located in Montreal, QC

Exceptional Art Deco pair of Gustavsberg Argenta Ewers. Fine quality silver overlay decoration on mottled jade green ceramic. Larger sized items are rare and difficult to find. Signe...

Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Gustavsberg Pitchers

Materials

Silver

Gustavsberg pitchers for sale on 1stDibs.

Gustavsberg pitchers are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gustavsberg pitchers, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original pitchers by Gustavsberg were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider pitchers by Rörstrand, Henning Koppel, and Gunnar Nylund. Prices for Gustavsberg pitchers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $340 and can go as high as $955, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $735.