Inquiry: "There is no signature, is it authentic?"
"There's no signature, is it authentic?" - We received this question from a Lisa Larson fan the other day. We completely understand how you feel. If you go to the trouble of buying your favorite ceramic figurine, but it doesn't have the artist's signature or markings, you might start to worry, "Could it be a fake...?" With brand-name products, the presence or absence of a signature or logo is often a key factor in determining authenticity, so it's no wonder you're worried.
Vintage Lisa Larson pottery (Lisa Larson pieces originally made in Gustavsberg have a blue sticker on them): they have the character you expect from their age.
So, in this column, I'd like to answer the beginner's concern that " no signature = maybe it's a fake? " by adding some expert knowledge. The bottom line is that "just because it's not signed doesn't mean it's a fake . " In fact, vintage Lisa Larson pieces often don't have signatures or engravings . What does that mean? Let's take a closer look.
Unsigned Lisa Larson piece = authentic vintage?
The person who contacted us said, "It seems strange to have a Lisa Larson animal figurine without the artist's signature on its belly, right?" But in fact, that's not strange at all . Old Lisa Larson pieces usually don't have signatures or backstamps (workshop markings) . If you assume something is a "fake" just because it doesn't have a signature, you could actually be missing out on the most valuable pieces .
So why is it that an unsigned piece is more likely to be authentic? The key lies in the "circumstances unique to vintage pieces."
Why there were no signatures: Behind the scenes of sticker culture in the 1950s-1970s
During the 1950s to 1970s, when Lisa Larson was active, many Scandinavian crafts were sold without the artist's handwritten signature or stamp . Instead, they had the manufacturer's seal attached. For example, Lisa Larson pieces made by Gustavsberg had a blue seal indicating that the piece was made by Lisa Larson, or an oval seal that read " GUSTAVSBERG SWEDEN ." However, the seals peel off over time, so many vintage items available today have no markings whatsoever. .
At the time, the culture of "always signing your work" was not as established as it is today. Lisa Larson's work was designed by herself and mass-produced in her workshop, so not all of them were signed by hand. Mass-produced items that were handmade by artisans using molds were usually shipped with only a blue Lisa Larson seal or a company name seal. On the other hand, vintage items without a signature are still in their original specifications , and the lack of a signature is actually proof of their authenticity .
Of course, depending on the series and time period, many items are stamped with "LISA L.", "Lisa Larson," or even Gustavsberg. Don't be discouraged if your figurine lacks any signatures or markings. First of all, remember that this alone is not enough to determine whether it is a fake .
(Photo: Noah's Ark lion figurine produced between 1978 and 1983. It was during this period that stamps began to be used.)
Are there any counterfeits? The current situation regarding counterfeit Lisa Larson products
Although "no signature does not necessarily mean it's a fake," one may still be wondering, "Are there really fakes in circulation?" The bottom line is that there are no fakes of Lisa Larson vintage pottery . As a specialist in Scandinavian vintage items, our view is that "it's difficult to mass-produce fake Lisa Larson pieces that look exactly like the real thing, and the effort required is not worth the profit."
It takes time and money to create precise copies of ceramic figurines from molds, and Lisa Larson's pieces themselves are not that expensive, costing only a few tens of thousands of yen. There is no benefit to going to the trouble of making copies like a million-yen brand bag. In addition, it is virtually impossible to faithfully reproduce the texture and color of the ceramics to Lisa Larson's originals . This is the same reason why even today's ARABIA company is unable to accurately reproduce the tableware from the 1970s, even though it is the same company . (For more details, please see this article: "Are there any fake Arabia tableware? - Basic knowledge about Nordic tableware. ")
As for the current (reprint) Lisa Larson works, I have not heard of any counterfeits being sold so far. Of course, we cannot say with absolute certainty that there are absolutely no counterfeits, but since it would take a great deal of effort to imitate the quality of Lisa Larson's work and there is no financial benefit to making a counterfeit, it is certainly at a level where you don't have to worry at all .
There's no need to worry too much if the piece doesn't have a signature. In fact, the older the piece, the less likely it is to have a signature, and the later the piece or a reproduction, the more likely it is to have a signature. If you come across a piece without a signature , just think to yourself, " This is an early vintage piece and is very valuable ."
There are also spin-off works
However, there are some "Lisa Larson-style" items for sale. These are not works by Lisa Larson herself, but are distributed as miscellaneous goods officially licensed by Lisa Larson .
The original illustration is Lisa Larson herself, but there are also backpacks and tote bags that use the illustration, so strictly speaking, it would be more appropriate to call them " Lisa Larson-style items ." These copyrighted items exist through official procedures.
Considering the above points, it can be said that there is no need to fear fakes when it comes to vintage Lisa Larson pieces . Rather, what's important is to understand the characteristics of older eras , as explained in this article, and have the knowledge to identify valuable vintage items. Don't be immediately suspicious just because there are no signatures or stickers, but make your judgment based on your knowledge of vintage pieces.
Conclusion: Enjoy Vintage Without Worrying Too Much
It's only natural for a vintage enthusiast to feel uneasy when faced with an unsigned Lisa Larson piece. However, as explained in this article, the equation "no signature = fake" does not necessarily apply. Rather, you can think of the lack of a signature as reflecting a way of thinking from half a century ago, and as proof of genuine vintage! Fortunately, no fakes have been reported, so rather than being overly suspicious, it's best to cherish the feeling of enjoying the opportunity to own one .
When you pick up a Lisa Larson cat or lion for the first time, you'll surely find it gazing at you with an expression that's just yours. Don't get too hung up on whether it's signed or not, but instead think about the warmth and history of this vintage piece. I hope you'll find a sense of relief and realize that there's nothing to worry about. Then, with peace of mind, enjoy the world of Lisa Larson to your heart's content.
Finally, I would like to emphasize once again that you should not be discouraged if the item does not have a signature. This is the norm in the world of Scandinavian vintage items . I hope you continue to enjoy discovering wonderful vintage items.
Check out our Lisa Larson creations here
We also have unsigned works and works with stickers in stock. If you're interested, please take a look!