This is a unique large plate made by Lisa Larson in her studio, G Studio, in Gustavsberg.
The back is stamped with the signature of Lisa L, along with the "hand mark" that indicates it is a G Studio work. The two numbers engraved on the bottom right of the base can be read as 56 (or 66). Regardless of the year, this piece is clear to be one of Lisa Larson's earliest studio works. The piece shows the footprints of Lisa Larson's ceramic work, and has an aspect of abstract art from before Lisa Larson's individuality was fully expressed.
The work's style is a slightly grayish white glaze on which powerful surfaces and lines are painted in brown iron glaze, and on top of that are layered many thin lines that look like they were scratched with a comb-like tool. The large intersecting lines in the center create an abstract composition reminiscent of a field plot seen from above, or rice paddy ridges before the snow melts, and the work is designed to have a different appearance no matter which direction it is viewed from.
Upon closer inspection, the beginnings of the lines and curves are still reminiscent of Lisa Larson's handiwork, and one can sense the process of carving the piece out of raw clay after wheel shaping. Despite its imposing size, the plate is just the right thickness, and is surprisingly light when picked up. The proportions, which taper gently from the edge to the center, are elegantly designed.
While the overall tone has the simplicity of Scandinavian stoneware, the use of white space and the rhythm of the lines reveal a sensibility that is also reminiscent of Japanese brushstrokes and iron-painted vessels. Lisa Larson is said to have been greatly influenced by Japanese pottery culture through her visit to Japan for the Osaka Expo and the collection of Japanese ceramics she encountered at the Gustavsberg workshop, and this piece can also be said to be one in which the image of the Scandinavian earth and the abstract Japanese sense of pattern quietly resonate with each other.
This piece has a strong presence and looks great whether it is displayed on a stand or on a wall. Its unique appearance, which still bears traces of handcrafting, offers new discoveries every time you look at it, making it a suitable piece to become the core of your collection.
■Detailed specifications Manufacturer: Gustavsberg G Studion / Gustavsberg G Studio Designer: Lisa Larson / Lisa Larson Year: 1956 (or 1966)
Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
It is in perfect condition with no cracks, chips or crazing. It is a unique piece that retains the beauty and brilliance of the original.
■Size
Diameter 32cm Height 8cm
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.
