This is a rare black cat porcelain plate from the UNIK series produced in 1967 by Lisa Larson, a representative Swedish potter. Lisa Larson designed nine ceramic plates this year, including cats, birds, horses and elephants.
A porcelain plate with an elephant. The servants and the royal family behind them are drawn.
Each porcelain plate was handcrafted at Gustavsberg's atelier called G Studio in the capital Stockholm.
The UNIK series has been produced for a long time, so there are considerable differences in color tone depending on the era. Basically, the later the work is, the brighter the color changes, and the thickness of the ceramic plate is about 1 cm. This is a relatively dark color and thin 8mm thickness. It is presumed to have been produced between 1967 and the 1970s.
Unlike the normal coloring, this is a color scheme with yellow as the main color. Elephant porcelain plates are known for their rare blue color, but this is a porcelain plate with a rather rare color pattern.
■ Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Series name: UNIK Age: 1967-1970 (estimated)
Condition: With kiln scratches You can see a missing part on the right side as shown in the photo. Burnt grains of pottery can be seen on the chipped part, and chipping usually occurs in the four corners, so it is presumed to be kiln damage rather than scratches from use. It is in shiny condition with no cracks or chips on the surface. There is no problem with viewing, but please be aware of the chipping.
■ size
Length and width 22.5cm Thickness 0.8cm
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.