This ceramic tile is from the UNIK series, created in 1967 by Lisa Larson, a leading Swedish ceramic artist. That year, Lisa Larson designed nine different ceramic tile designs, including sunflowers, cats, birds, horses, and elephants. This is one of them, depicting a sunflower. Each tile was handmade in Gustavsberg's studio, G Studio, in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
This is a sunflower ceramic tile in a special color that is not listed in the catalog. It is a very rare, unique piece made as a prototype. The back of the bag does not have the tongue-shaped metal fittings seen on the regular UNIK series, but has a style where wire is passed through both holes. This is a feature seen in prototypes from when the UNIK series was conceived in the late 1960s, before mass-produced products were released.
At the time, the form of the ceramic plate was decided, but the color and thickness of the glaze were not. Therefore, experimental works were created by experimenting with the color and density of the glaze. In the process, ceramic plates with special color patterns different from the regular UNIK series were created, and they have been passed down to the present day as sample works.
The biggest feature of this product is that the sunflowers are all white, and the borders, which are usually brown, are also painted white. Also, while the surface of the regular version is flat, this product has a slightly uneven texture, which gives it a different feel.
The outer petals on the top and bottom show signs of being crushed with fingers, suggesting that this piece was made by Lisa Larson herself. This piece shows traces of trial and error, as Lisa is known for her prolific work.
The signature on the bottom right of the front is a stamp, but the tilt of the first L is a unique mark not seen in other works. This is a masterpiece that shows the hard work that went into creating it and is also of historical value. For information on the regular UNIK series sunflowers , please see this product page.
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Series: UNIK Title: Solros / Sunflowers Production date: circa 1967 (estimated)
UNIK series production period: 1967-1986 Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
The wire on the back shows signs of aging, but it can still be used as a wall hanging. There are no cracks or chips, and it is an excellent piece of workmanship that has retained its original appearance.
■Size
Length and width: 22.5cm Thickness: 0.7cm
