This extremely rare salt box is a masterpiece by Stig Lindberg called "Bersa." It features a repeating leaf pattern, an icon of Scandinavian tableware. It is both a practical item and a striking object, suitable for both placing on the dining table and hanging on a shelf.
This is a model that the owner of our shop, who has been dealing in Bersa for many years, has never seen before. There are extremely few examples of this model in circulation on the market, and it can be said to be a "great rarity" that is rarely encountered even as a collector's item.
The white porcelain body is beautifully decorated with Versa's signature green leaves, and the straight lines of the stems give the whole piece a crisp look. The wooden lid completes the balance of white, green, and wood grain. It also has a hole for hanging on the wall, making it an attractive piece that can be used as a "visible storage" on the kitchen wall.
The back has a Bersa backstamp, confirming its consistency as a part of the series. However, this item itself is rarely seen in the general Bersa lineup, so we believe it may have been made as a test item (or produced in limited quantities). The combination of a "design for a tool" that is clearly different from mass-produced tableware, and the iconic Bersa pattern, makes it truly a "Bersa that only those in the know will recognize."
There is a hole at the top for hanging it on the wall, making it a great piece to display on your kitchen wall. It looks beautiful not only when you store salt, but also sugar, spices, tea bags, small cookies, and more. It can be used as an everyday item, but it also gives you a sense of satisfaction that is completely different from mass-produced tableware - it is one of the most collectible items in the Versa line.
■Details
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg
Designer: Stig Lindberg
Series: Berså
Era: Late 1960s (estimated)
Condition: ★★★★☆ (4.5: Excellent condition)
There are some minor scratches on the paint due to aging. The coloring around the bottom is not dirt but a transfer of the color from the kettle during manufacturing. Due to the characteristics of the material, the wooden lid will have small scratches, uneven coloring, and a texture that comes with use and storage, but it does not significantly detract from the overall appearance.
*As this is a rare item, please consider it with the understanding that it is unique in its current condition.
■Size: Width 15cm, depth 12cm, height 13cm
Berså series
Berså is a classic series from Gustavsberg, a long-established Swedish tableware manufacturer. Bertha was designed in 1961 by Swedish mid-century master Stig Lindberg.
Berså (Bersa, Besjö, Bersjö) means "arbor", although it is not often used in Swedish these days. It is a resting place such as a garden or park where you can take a breather.
It is no exaggeration to say that Northern Europe is a region where half of the year is winter. Not only is it extremely cold, but there are only about 4 to 5 hours of sunlight in winter. A feature of Scandinavian tableware is that it is full of designs that give you a sense of warmth even on winter days. Versa's lush greenery has a mysterious charm that brings fresh green color and a refreshing breeze to the dining table at any time, and it is a design that is truly representative of Scandinavian tableware.
There is also a reprint version of Bertha, but the reprint version has a lighter green color and more uniform leaf shape than the vintage version. The characteristics of vintage are the vividness of the green color and the subtle fluctuations in each leaf. In addition, the back stamp of the vintage Bertha has a beautiful and unique design. The backstamp on the reprint is the company's anchor symbol, and the original Bertha backstamp is gone.
Stig Lindberg
Stig Lindberg (1916-1982)
Born in Umeå, the central city of northern Sweden. Originally from Stockholm's art school Konstfack ( Learn painting at Konstfack. He joined Gustavsberg in 1937 and gradually rose to prominence under the tutelage of his mentor, Wilhelm Koge. Twelve years later, in 1949, he succeeded Koge as the company's art director in charge of design.
Since then, Lindberg has released numerous works as a standard bearer of Swedish modernism in the mid-20th century. During Lindberg's time, the Gustavsberg workshop was at its peak, and its works from that time are recognized as works from the golden period known as ``mid-century,'' and are highly valued. Lindberg's studio is called G-Studion, where young designers are demonstrating their skills and producing famous artists such as Lisa Larson.
