スウェーデンの国民的作家が生んだ 手のひらに宿る北欧の物語
This ceramic tile is titled "Gamla Stan" and was produced by Lisa Larson at Gustavsberg between 1963 and 1978. It has a different color pattern from the regular version and is signed by the artist on the back. The tile has a chic color tone and is made with a specially adjusted glaze. At first glance, it appears to be just a ceramic tile with a different color, but this tile is not even listed in the catalog, and is a unique piece that is rare even on a global scale.
The title of the work, "Gamla Stan," is Swedish for "Old Town," and is the common name for the oldest urban area in the center of Stockholm, the Swedish capital, which was formed around the 13th century. Gamla Stan is home to the Swedish Royal Palace and the Parliament Building, and the streets are lined with buildings that are over 500 years old, making it a major tourist attraction in Stockholm.
If you look closely, you'll see that each house has a different architectural style and color, but the colorful buildings crowded together create a mysterious townscape that harmonizes as a whole. This work captures the architectural characteristics of Gamla Stan well, such as the different heights and shapes of roofs, windows, and front doors. Gamla Stan is an ancient city that symbolizes Swedish townscapes, and was also the model for the Ghibli film "Kiki's Delivery Service."
In addition to the mass-produced products, Gustavsberg had a department called G-Studion where famous designers such as Stig Lindberg and Lisa Larson produced artworks. This is a work made in that atelier. Each piece is handmade and has the words "LISA L GUSTAVSBERG SWEDEN" engraved on the back.
■ Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Series name: Väggplattor / Ceramic plate Title of work: Gamla Stan / Gamla Stan (Old Town)
Era: 1963-1978 Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
There are some areas on the edge of the back where the glaze is not applied properly. We believe that these cracks and chips were not caused by use, but occurred during manufacturing. Other than that, the item is in perfect condition and in its original condition.
■Size
Width 28.5cm Height 28cm Thickness approx. 2cm
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.
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.
