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.
Stig Lindberg Porcelain Serving Dish, Berså Pattern, 1950s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A serving dish in porcelain in the very famous pattern Berså designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg. It is 31.5 x 22.5 cm in diameter and 3.5 cm high. It is in excellent condition ...
Porcelain
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...
Earthenware, Faience, Ceramic
Wilhelm Kage Dish ceramic 'Argenta' for Gustavsberg Sweden 1940s Marked
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Paris, IDF
WILHELM KÅGE. Dish, "Argenta", Gustavsberg, stoneware with silver decoration. Decor with silver dragon, marked, height approx. 4.5 cm, diameter 31 cm. Marked and stamped Gustavsberg ...
Silver
Wilhelm Kage Dish ceramic 'Argenta' for Gustavsberg Sweden 1940s Marked
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Paris, IDF
WILHELM KÅGE. Dish, "Argenta", Gustavsberg, green glazed stoneware with silver decoration. Decor with silver mermaid, marked, height approx. 4.5 cm, diameter 31 cm. Marked GUSTAVSBER...
Silver
Wilhelm Kage Dish ceramic 'Argenta' A 29 for Gustavsberg Sweden 1940s Marked
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Paris, IDF
WILHELM KÅGE. Dish, "Argenta", Gustavsberg, stoneware with silver decoration. Decor with silver woman, marked, height approx. 5 cm, diameter 32 cm. Marked and stamped Gustavsberg Arg...
Silver
Wilhelm Kage Dish ceramic 'Argenta' A 29 for Gustavsberg Sweden 1940s Marked
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Paris, IDF
WILHELM KÅGE. Dish, "Argenta", Gustavsberg, stoneware with silver decoration. Decor with silver woman, marked, height approx. 5 cm, diameter 32 cm. Marked and stamped Gustavsberg Arg...
Silver
Mid Century Modern Gustavsberg Flameldfast Terma Brown Stoneware Covered Pot #6
By Gustavsberg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid Century Modern Gustavsberg Flameldfast Terma Brown Stoneware Covered Pot #6. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 5" H x 11" W x 8.75" D.
Stoneware
Wilhelm Kage Dish 1035 I 'Argenta' for Gustavsberg Sweden 1940s Marked
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Paris, IDF
WILHELM KÅGE. Dish, "Argenta", model 1035 I, Gustavsberg, stoneware with silver decoration. Decor with mermaid, marked, height approx. 4.5 cm, diameter 30 cm. Marked Gustavsberg Arge...
Silver
$795
H 3.55 in Dm 11.62 in
Wilhelm Kåge Green & Brown Stoneware Dish, Bowl, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Elegant dish, bowl by Wilhelm Kåge from the “KAPA” series. The design was a collaboration between Kåge and three colleagues Björn Alskog, Axel Pettersson, and Birger Arvidsson. Desig...
Stoneware
$784 / item
H 1.58 in W 7.88 in D 9.65 in
Country Style Porcelain Pastry Dish Oak Leaf Garlande Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
By Sofina Porzellan
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain dish is hands-free painted in a traditional Black Forest decor with a naturalistic oak leaf garlande. Green rimmed wit...
Porcelain
$773 / item
H 1.58 in W 7.88 in D 9.65 in
Country Style Easter Decor Porcelain Pastry Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handmade porcelain pastry dish is hands-free painted with a charming easter decor with rabbits and colored eggs. Rimmed by hand with a Fi...
Porcelain
Herend Porcelain Rothschild Pattern Serving Set
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set, consisting of 8 plates of 15 cm diagonal (5....
Porcelain
$525
H 1.19 in W 12.41 in D 4.34 in
Stig Lindberg Leaf Serving Dish, Faience, Gustavsberg Studio, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely serving dish in shape of a leaf in faience designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg Studio, it´s 31,5 x 11 cm. It´s close to mint condition. It´s marked with the Stig Lindbe...
Faience
English Gilt Painted Shell Form Serving Dish
Located in New York, NY
English gilt painted shell form serving dish. Lobed shell shaped sweetmeat dish/plate with gold and blue band centering on small flowers and butterflies....
Porcelain
$483
H 7.09 in W 3.15 in D 2.56 in
White Ceramic Vase, Endive, Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg - Scandinavian Midcentury
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A white ceramic vase of model Endive designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg. It is 18.5 cm tall and in excellent condition except from some scratches in the surface. It is stamped ...
Ceramic
$3,126
H 9.26 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Large Vase 'Carrara' by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1940s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautiful and rare vase made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Carrara glazed stoneware. Excellent condition. Stamped 'Gustavsberg / KÅGE / CARRARA / Swe...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$2,785 / set
H 4.53 in Dm 5.71 in
White 'Surrea' Vase and Bowl by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
Stunning 'Surrea' stoneware vase and bowl with 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Excellent condition. Stamped 'Gustavsberg / SURREA'. ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$4,660 / set
H 10.32 in Dm 6.11 in
Set of 3 White 'Vaga' Vases by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
Set of 3 beautiful 'Våga' vases. Stoneware with 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. 'Swedish Modern'. Excellent condition. Stamped 'Gusta...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$975
H 4.75 in W 11.5 in D 1.75 in
Fine Antique Meissen Porcelain Blue Onion Pattern 2 Lobed Serving Dish
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Tustin, CA
Very fine, elegant antique handmade and hand painted Meissen porcelain, 2 lobed scalloped serving dish with rocaille handle in the "Blue Onion" pattern. In perfect condition. The ...
Porcelain
$461
H 1.19 in W 12.41 in D 4.34 in
Vintage Leaf Shaped Serving Dish Faience, Stig Lindberg, Gustavsbergs Studio
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A serving dish in faience designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsbergs Studio in Stockholm, it is 31.5 x 10.5 cm (12.6" x 4.2") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition. This vase is pa...
Stoneware
$2,217 / set
H 4.34 in Dm 4.93 in
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
$2,558 / set
H 3.55 in W 9.85 in D 8.27 in
Set of 2 White 'Vaga' Bowls by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
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
Wilhelm Kåge Argenta Bowl with Silver Dragon Decor, Gustavsberg, 1940s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely bowl of model Argenta 901 designed by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg, this bowl is 32,5 cm (13") in diameter and about 13 cm (5,2") high. It´s in excellent condition except fro...
Stoneware
Sold
H 1.38 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
Serving Dish, Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, Berså / Bersa Green Leafs
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A squared serving dish in porcelain in the very famous pattern Berså designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg. It is 12.5 x 12.5 cm in diameter and 3.5 cm high. It is in mint conditi...
Porcelain
Sold
H 2.37 in W 4.34 in D 6.5 in
Stig Lindberg Berså Lidded Box, Porcelain, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lidded box in porcelain in the very famous pattern Berså designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg. This was original made as a butter dish but can be used as a box as well. It is 1...
Porcelain