This is a trio of teacups, saucers, and cake plates from the Malva series produced in the 1960s by Gustavsberg, a long-established Scandinavian pottery manufacturer. The series name Malva means mallow or us mallow in Swedish. The same kind of mallow is a perennial plant that normally produces purple flowers. In imitation of these flowers, designer Wjörquist has decorated the entire surface with a bold red deformed floral pattern.
It is quite difficult to maintain a design with the same continuous floral pattern, but it is a simple and sophisticated piece that is typical of Scandinavian modernity, with exquisite colors and balance. The Malva was designed in 1965 and manufactured until around 1970. It is a valuable item that was originally produced in small numbers and is rarely seen in its home country of Sweden.
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Karin Bjorquist Series name: Malva Era: 1965-1970 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: Condition: Reasonable
There is a thin chip on the top of the cup and on the saucer. Paint loss and cutlery marks can be seen all over the cake plate. The cup remains relatively similar to when it was manufactured. We offer this product at a great price as it is a product with a certain reason.
■Size
Cup width 12cm (including handle) height 6cm Capacity approx. 280ml Saucer diameter 15cm Cake plate diameter 20cm
Karin Bjorquist
Karin Bjorquist (1927-2018)
Born in the city of Saffle in Värmland County in western Sweden. Studied at Konstfack, Stockholm's art university, and joined Gustavsberg in 1950 after graduating. Initially served as an assistant to Wilhelm Koge, who was the company's art director. He stayed at Gustavsberg until 1986, during which time he invented the Indigo, Kobold, Malva, and Delicates series. The Svart Ruter series, which has diamond-shaped marks all over it, and the Vardag series, which has deep green, heavy vessels, have been long-running works.
Wjörquist's greatest work is known as Nobelservisen, which she designed to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Nobel Prize, and the tableware she designed is still used at the Nobel Prize Banquet.