This is a one-of-a-kind ceramic mask made by Lisa Larson at Gustavsberg around 1980. Many of Lisa Larson's works are cute, but her unique pieces are characterized by their photorealistic depictions. It has a melancholy expression overall, and is a very impressive mask that is imbued with vitality.
Lisa Larson designed six types of ceramic masks for two years from 1979 to 1980: Afro, Demon, Geisha, Asia, Pablo, and Mask. This mask is estimated to have been made around that time.
It is a goddess-like mask with a leaf-shaped hairstyle, and the whole face is covered with a thick glaze.The leaf handle has brown rust due to the natural glaze, which contrasts well with the moist white porcelain-like glaze on the face. It is built like this. Lisa Larson's handwritten signature and wall hanging hardware are glued to the back.
■Detailed specifications Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Year: Around 1980 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
It is in perfect condition with no cracks or chips and remains as it was at the time of production. The back is unglazed and retains the roughness of being fired in a kiln. This is a unique piece with excellent workmanship.
■Size Width 25cm Height 31cm Height 7.5cm
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.
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.