This is a large 26cm dinner plate from the Växjö series produced by Gustavsberg, Sweden's leading pottery manufacturer, from the 19th century to the early 20th century. Gustavsberg was founded in 1826 and mainly manufactured furniture and ceramic bathtubs. The series name Wexiö refers to Växjö, a city in southern Sweden that was one of the largest cities in the 19th century. At the time, many works were created in Gustavsberg that were named after place names, and this is one of a series of works created in Gustavsberg.
The designer was Arvid Ekberg (1848-1906), who worked as a designer at Gustavsberg with his half-brother Josef Ekberg (1877-1945). Josef was the art director of Gustavsberg, one generation before Wilhelm Koge, and was a central figure in the Gustavsberg company in the early 20th century.
Växjö is an elegant vessel with blue-green flowers, small birds and butterflies, and gold-plated edges. This series was produced over a long period of over half a century, from 1887 to 1939, and we can see that it was highly regarded by the public for its ease of use and high quality. The series name Wexiö is engraved on the back stamp, but if you look through it under the light, you can see the back stamp Gustafsberg OPAK next to it.
This stamp was used in Gustavsberg for 20 years, from 1890 to 1910. A characteristic of backstamps from this era is that it is spelled Gusta"f"sberg, where v changes to f, unlike the current spelling.
Check out our blog post for more information about backstamps.
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustafsberg / Gustafsberg Series: Wexiö / Designer: Arvid Ekberg / Arvid Ekberg Year: 1887-1910 Country of Origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★☆☆ (3: Average)
The surface shows slight cutlery marks when held under light, and the gold plating on the edges shows wear over time. You can also see color transfer and penetration during firing in the kiln, and scratches from stacking. The plate is free from cracks and chips, making it a good item that retains its original appearance from the 19th century. This product is available in multiple quantities. If you would like to check individual conditions, please contact us via chat or email.
■Size
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.