This is a hand-painted coffee cup created by Lisa Larson in 1993 at K-Studion (Keramik Studion), the in-house workshop established by Gustavsberg. It is a nearly one-of-a-kind cup that was never mass-produced, and its rounded shape is hand-painted with a vibrant blue glaze. The painting was done by Lisa Larson herself, and the cup is hand-signed "Lisa Larson" on the bottom.
Lisa Larson left Gustavsberg in 1979 to work as a freelancer, but was later welcomed back to the company with generous compensation, allowing her to focus on her creative endeavors. This limited edition piece was created by Lisa Larson, who was already a world-renowned artist, at a technically advanced level.
Lisa Larson's works from the 1990s were different from those of the mid-20th century, a time when she was exploring new Nordic ceramics that took advantage of the advancement of ceramic technology. While her earlier works tend to be relatively dark in color, this work follows the style of Matilda and Josephine from her Gustavsberg period. It is a wonderful piece that is simple yet reminiscent of designs from the past.
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Keramik Studion Gustavsberg / Gustavsberg K Studio Designer: Lisa Larson / Lisa Larson Era: 1990s Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
Both the cup and saucer are in perfect condition with no cracks, chips or crazing, and no signs of use or storage.
■Size
Cup height 7.5cm, width 11cm, saucer diameter 18cm
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.
