This is a one-of-a-kind ceramic statue of an otter that Lisa Larson created for Gustavsberg in the 1970s. Lisa Larson collaborated with NK, a long-established department store in Stockholm, to release a series of ceramic statues called Utrotningshotade Djur (Endangered Animals), one per year, for six years from 1975. A portion of the sales was donated to the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature).
The series includes designs of lynx, golden eagle, grey seal, bison, hedgehog, otter, and falcon. All are limited to around 2000 pieces. The otter was released in 1975, and this is a unique piece of the otter made around the same time.
This piece depicts two otters snuggling up together in a friendly manner. They are looking around in a cute way. The original WWF model is almost identical to the otter on the left side of the front, and the pair's right side is an original element.
At the time this work was created, Lisa Larson was actively researching materials for ceramic statues, and this one was made using a new manufacturing method that ensured high durability using a clay called chamotte. The roughness of the clay seen at the bottom clearly shows the characteristics of chamotte ceramics.
This is the only piece in the world. Since Lisa Larson's death, her work has become even more valuable. This piece will never be available again, so it is worth the price. Don't miss this opportunity to see it.
■Details Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Title: Utter / Otter Year: Around 1975 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
It is in perfect condition with no cracks, chips or crazing, and retains the same appearance as when it was made half a century ago.
■Size
Height 19cm Width 14cm Depth 16cm
Gustavsberg's G-Studion
Apart from the mass production line, Gustavsberg had a department called G-Studion. Famous designers such as Willhelm Koge, Stig Lindberg and Lisa Larsson created their artwork here.
Founded in 1942, G Studio was a group of artists, designers, craftsmen and illustrators whose activities ranged from creative work to exhibition ceramics, public space art production and industrial design. . It operated until 1993 and served as an ``aesthetic laboratory''. It was also responsible for providing design ideas for Gustavsberg's mass-produced products.
G-Studio was a renovated atelier in an old building from a ceramics factory in Gustavsberg, and was a hub for more than 100 artists and craftsmen. It is no exaggeration to say that Gustavsberg's ceramic tradition of the 20th century originated from here. It was a centerpiece of the Swedish art and design world and served as a breeding ground for new creativity.
Each piece of G Studio's work is handmade, and there are videos showing the production process. The video shows a man wearing round glasses, designer Stig Lindberg. And on the right side you can see Willhelm Koge, who was the studio director.
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.