This is a morning cup from the Bersa series designed by Stig Lindberg, one of Sweden's leading modern design masters. It is a rare size, also called a chocolate cup, and is the largest of the Versa cups.
Bertha comes in three varieties: a small coffee cup, a medium-sized tea cup, and this morning cup designed around 1970. The reprint version was based on the tea cup, and various large and small cups were produced, and the morning cup was also reprinted for a time in the same form but in a smaller size. This is a vintage product with different leaf colors, a lush green color, and a large capacity of about 400ml. This is a very rare model among the Bersa Cups, with particularly low production numbers.
It is no exaggeration to say that Northern Europe is a region where half of the year is winter. Not only is it extremely cold, there are only about 4 to 5 hours of daylight in winter. A feature of Scandinavian tableware is that it is full of designs that give you a sense of warmth even on winter days. The lush green leaves are a color that brings fresh green color to the dining table. Berså means arbor, and the design evokes the feel of a cool afternoon fika spent in a corner of a garden.
| Detailed specifications | |
| Maker | Gustavsberg / Gustavsberg |
| designer | Stig Lindberg |
| Series name | Berså / Bersa |
| era | 1961-1974 |
| Country of manufacture | Sweden |
| condition |
★★★☆☆ (3: Average quality) The logo on the back of the saucer is faded. Both the cup and saucer have no cracks, chips, or penetrations, but the paint is faded over time and there are some cutlery marks here and there. |
| size |
Cup width 14cm height 7cm saucer diameter 18.5cm |
Berså series
Berså is a classic series from Gustavsberg, a long-established Swedish tableware manufacturer. Bertha was designed in 1961 by Swedish mid-century master Stig Lindberg.
Berså (Bersa, Besjö, Bersjö) means "arbor", although it is not often used in Swedish these days. It is a resting place such as a garden or park where you can take a breather.
It is no exaggeration to say that Northern Europe is a region where half of the year is winter. Not only is it extremely cold, but there are only about 4 to 5 hours of sunlight in winter. A feature of Scandinavian tableware is that it is full of designs that give you a sense of warmth even on winter days. Versa's lush greenery has a mysterious charm that brings fresh green color and a refreshing breeze to the dining table at any time, and it is a design that is truly representative of Scandinavian tableware.
There is also a reprint version of Bertha, but the reprint version has a lighter green color and more uniform leaf shape than the vintage version. The characteristics of vintage are the vividness of the green color and the subtle fluctuations in each leaf. In addition, the back stamp of the vintage Bertha has a beautiful and unique design. The backstamp on the reprint is the company's anchor symbol, and the original Bertha backstamp is gone.
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.