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 coffee cup from the renowned Gustavsberg pottery company was designed by Lisa Larson, a world-renowned Swedish ceramicist. Its round, raccoon-like shape is a charming piece. While many of Lisa Larson's ceramics include ceramic plates and objects with human and animal motifs, Josephine is a rare cup bearing her name.
There are only two types of tea utensils that Lisa Larson designed for Gustavsberg: Josephine and Matilda. Both have the same form, but the difference is the glaze color and decorative pattern. Josephine has a wheel-shaped pattern on the side, and the pale indigo glaze gives it a cool texture. It seems that Josephine was not produced in large numbers, making it a relatively rare item.
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson Series: Josephine Year: 1960-1971 Country of origin: Sweden Condition:
★★★☆☆ (3.5: Good)
As shown in the photo, there are burn marks on the bottom of the cup from the manufacturing process. When viewed through the light, the saucer shows signs of wear from use. There are no cracks, chips, or crazing, and both the cup and saucer are in excellent condition and in their original condition.
■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.
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.
