A ceramic statue of a donkey (Asna) from the series Stora Zoo designed by Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg in 1958. This is an early work created by Lisa Larson when she debuted as a potter.
Lisa Larson joined Gustavsberg in 1954 at the young age of 23. The previous year, in 1953, when he was a student, a small cat with a spiky tail that he had presented in a competition caught the attention of Stig Lindberg, who later released it as the ``Lilla Zoo'' series.
The "Little Zoo" series became a big hit at the time because of its novelty. Following the success of the game, Stora Zoo, which featured larger animals, was released in 1958. The basic design is inherited from Lisa Larson's small zoo style, but although it is called a donkey, it has an interesting shape that is rounded and deformed like a cat.
The moist texture of the glaze gives it a calming feel, and the somewhat melancholy expression is natural and gives you a sense of Lisa Larson's style. Lisa Larson has several cat works, but this is her earliest work, and is one of the most outstanding vintage ceramic statues.
■Details Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Series name: Stora Zoo / Big zoo Title: Asna / Donkey Era: 1958-1979 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★★ (5: complete)
There are no cracks or penetrations, and the original seals are still intact. It is in very good condition and is a complete item that retains its appearance at the time of production.
■Size Height 10cm Width 12cm Thickness 9cm
Lisa Larson
Lisa Larson (1931-2024)
A world-renowned ceramic artist representing Sweden. Born in the village of Härlunda, in the Älmhult district of Kronoberg county in the Småland region of southern Sweden.
When she was young, she aspired to be a clothing designer, but after enrolling at Gothenburg University of the Arts, she studied ceramics. One day, he was discovered by Stig Lindberg at a competition, and after a one-year trial period, he officially joined Gustavsberg as a designer. Shortly after, in 1955, he announced the Lilla zoo series, and in 1964 he devised the Afrika series, famous for its lion statues.
In addition to Gustavsberg, Lisa Larsson has also provided designs for Höganäs, domestic retail giant Åhléns, and German pottery manufacturer Rosenthal. After leaving Gustavsberg in 1979, he was active in various fields while continuing his creative activities freely, taking the position of a freelance artist under a voluntary contract with a company rather than an exclusive contract. In 1979 and 1981, he held solo exhibitions at the Seibu Department Store in Tokyo, and his solo exhibition in 1981 is said to have attracted 70,000 visitors.