This is a ceramic tiger statue from the Africa series produced by Sweden's leading ceramic artist Lisa Larson at Gustavsberg in 1964. This ceramic statue is not a reproduction, but a valuable vintage piece produced when the product was first released.
The difference between the current reproduction version and the current one is in the shape and material. The reproduction version is slightly smaller in size, has a gentle expression, stretched legs, and an overall smooth texture. On the other hand, the vintage version is characterized by a more rugged design that gives off a rough expression tanned red by the African sun.
At the time this piece was created, Lisa Larson was actively researching materials for ceramic statues, and it was made using a new manufacturing method called chamotte, which gives it the feel of exposed earthenware while also ensuring high durability.
■ Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Series name: Afrika
Era: 1965-1975 Country of Origin: Sweden
Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
It is in perfect condition, with no cracks, chips or crazing, and retains the original appearance from when it was made.
■Size
Width 26cm Height 8cm Depth 7.5cm
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.