This is a coffee cup from the Dart series by Gustavsberg, a traditional Swedish pottery manufacturer. There is also a tea cup in the same series, but this one is a slightly smaller coffee cup size.
Dart is a rare stoneware among Gustavsberg products ( Stoneware) . Stoneware has characteristics of both pottery and porcelain, and is positioned somewhere between the two.
The pottery is porous and thick, making it a heavy piece of pottery with the soil at its base sometimes exposed. On the other hand, porcelain is a thin, light and lustrous vessel that is fully glazed and fired at high temperatures. Stoneware is made from ceramic materials but fired at the same temperature as porcelain, 1200℃. The entire surface is coated with glaze, and the wall thickness makes it extremely durable.
The Dart's thick body is surrounded by hand-painted light blue lines, giving a lightness to the rugged and heavy texture of stoneware. This series was produced until 1987, after Stig Lindberg's death, and is a work of his later years. Personally, I find it easy to use and sturdy even when handled a little roughly, making it the owner's favorite item. Please also take a look at the Dart plate that is also on sale.
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg
Designer: Stig Lindberg
Series name: Dart
Country of origin: Sweden
Year: 1977-1987
Condition: ★★★★☆ (4.5: Very good condition)
This product is available in multiple quantities. Both the cup and saucer show no signs of use, and are in excellent condition with no cracks or chips, preserving the original appearance. On the edge of the back, there are traces of the struts from manufacturing.
■Size
Cup diameter 7.5cm height 6cm saucer diameter 12.8cm
Gustavsberg
Gustavsberg is a long-established Swedish pottery manufacturer founded in 1825. For more information on the history of the company , please see this article♪ The company produced bathtubs and other housing equipment, but from the late 19th century onward, they focused on producing artistic ceramics, and their name became widely known. I did. Known for its simple and beautiful designs with motifs of nature and folklore, it is a manufacturer that led Scandinavian design in the 20th century.
It produced many outstanding artists such as Lisa Larsson and Stig Lindberg, and was a central figure in the ``Mid-Century'' art movement of the mid-20th century in Northern Europe. Even today, it is highly praised for its high artistry, technical ability, and unique design that evokes the Nordic climate.
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.