This is a one-of-a-kind giant hippopotamus figurine made by Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg around 1960. It is the basis for the ceramic statue of Flodhast med faglar (a hippopotamus with a small bird) at Stora Zoo (the "big zoo hippopotamus" in the foreground of the photo is for size comparison).
Lisa Larson joined Gustavsberg in 1954 at the young age of 23. The year before, in 1953, while still a student, she entered a competition with a small cat with a standing tail, which caught the eye of Stig Lindberg, and was later released as the "Lilla Zoo" series. The novelty of the "Lilla Zoo" series made it a huge hit at the time. In response to this success, "Stora Zoo", which featured larger animals, was released in 1958.
As part of the "Big Zoo Series," a ceramic statue of "Hippopotamus and Three Little Birds" was produced in 1966. This hippopotamus was produced the year before (probably around 1965) as a sample for the studio. It is a prototype-like piece at a stage when the final design had not yet been decided, and trial and error can be seen in the fact that the birds are not on the hippopotamus's back.
The hippopotamus in "The Zoo" is already one of Lisa Larson's largest ceramic statues, but this prototype is about five times larger. Despite its weight, the expression is gentle and cheerful, and it is clear that the work is already complete in terms of expression. The body is hand-signed by Lisa Larson, indicating that it was made at G Studio in Gustavsberg.
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: Flodhäst / Hippo Era: Around 1960 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 25cm Width 18cm Depth 37cm
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.