This ashtray is part of the Thalia series, which Lisa Larson produced for Gustavsberg over a nine-year period starting in 1960. Thalia is named after the Greek goddess Thalia, one of the goddesses of literature, music, and dance, and the edge is decorated with a cowherd and a cow.
There are two types of Talia ashtrays: one with a deep recess and one with a shallow recess. This one is shallow and low. Although its original purpose is as an ashtray, it is also suitable for a variety of uses, such as a bowl or small item holder.
■Details Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson
Series name: Thalia / Talia Year: 1960-1969 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: Imperfect This is a deadstock item in good condition with the original seal still attached, but there are hair cracks on the edges that occurred during firing.
■Size: Diameter 11cm, Height 3.2cm
Gustavsberg
Gustavsberg is a long-established Swedish pottery manufacturer founded in 1825. For more information on the history of the company , please see this article♪ The company produced bathtubs and other housing equipment, but from the late 19th century onward, they focused on producing artistic ceramics, and their name became widely known. I did. Known for its simple and beautiful designs with motifs of nature and folklore, it is a manufacturer that led Scandinavian design in the 20th century.
It produced many outstanding artists such as Lisa Larsson and Stig Lindberg, and was a central figure in the ``Mid-Century'' art movement of the mid-20th century in Northern Europe. Even today, it is highly praised for its high artistry, technical ability, and unique design that evokes the Nordic climate.
Lisa Larson
Lisa Larson (1931-2024)
A world-renowned Swedish ceramicist, he was born in Härlunda, a village of about 500 people in the Älmhult district of Kronoberg county in the Småland region in southern Sweden.
As a child, she aspired to be a fashion designer, but after enrolling at the Gothenburg Academy of Art, she studied ceramics. One day, she was discovered by Stig Lindberg at a competition, and after a one-year probationary period, she officially joined Gustavsberg as a designer. Shortly thereafter, in 1955, she released the Lilla Zoo series, and in 1964, she came up with the Afrika series, famous for its lion statues.
Lisa Larson has not only worked for Gustavsberg, but has also provided designs for Höganäs, the major domestic retailer Åhléns, and the German ceramic manufacturer Rosenthal. After leaving Gustavsberg in 1979, she became a freelance artist, working on a voluntary basis with companies, rather than as an exclusive contractor, and continued to work freely in various fields. In 1979 and 1981, she held solo exhibitions at Seibu Department Store in Tokyo, and the 1981 exhibition was visited by a total of 70,000 people.
