This ceramic tile is from the UNIK series, created in 1967 by Sweden's leading ceramic artist Lisa Larson. That year, Lisa Larson designed nine types of ceramic tile, including cats, birds, horses, elephants, etc. This is one of them, depicting a round cat seen from the front. Each ceramic tile was handmade at Gustavsberg's studio called G Studio in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
The UNIK series has two types of ceramic tiles, a sitting cat and a round cat, and this is the latter. It depicts the cat from the front and is characterized by its strong fur that resembles a lion's mane. The front paws are carefully aligned, and the cuteness of the cat sitting down is expressed in a Lisa Larson style. This is one of the most representative works in the UNIK series and one of the most highly acclaimed Lisa Larson ceramic tiles.
This is a relatively rare round cat with blue eyes. Usually, what is known as blue eyes is a sitting cat with blue eyes. Although that is also rare, the round cat with blue eyes ceramic piece is even rarer. The back does not have the usual tongue-shaped metal fittings, but has wire passing through both holes, which is a characteristic of the early models of the UNIK series.
For information about the regular UNIK series round cat , please refer to this product page.
■ Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Series name: UNIK Work name: Katt Production date: 1967-1969 (estimated)
UNIK series production period: 1967-1986 Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
It is in perfect condition with no cracks or chips and retains the original appearance from when it was manufactured.
■Size
Length and width 23cm thickness 0.7cm
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.