This 23cm plate is from the Växjö series, produced by Gustavsberg, a leading Swedish ceramics manufacturer, from the 19th to the early 20th century. Gustavsberg was founded in 1826 and primarily produced furniture and ceramic bathtubs. The series name, Wexiö, refers to the city of Växjö in southern Sweden, which was one of the largest cities in the 19th century. Many pieces named after places in Gustavsberg at the time were produced, and this is one of those series.
The designer was Arvid Ekberg (1848-1906), who worked as a designer at Gustavsberg together with his half-brother Josef Ekberg (1877-1945). Josef was the art director at Gustavsberg one generation before Wilhelm Kage, and was a central figure at the Gustavsberg company in the early 20th century.
The Wexiö series features a blue-green floral motif with birds and butterflies, and gold-plated edges. The series was produced for over half a century, from 1887 to 1939, demonstrating its longevity and high quality. The backstamp bears the name of the series, "Wexiö," and when held up to the light, the backstamp "Gustafsberg OPAK" can be seen next to it.
This stamp was used by Gustavsberg for 20 years, from 1890 to 1910. A distinctive feature of the backstamps from this period is that it is spelled Gusta"f"sberg, with an f instead of a v, unlike the current spelling.
For more information on backstamps, please see our blog post .
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustafsberg Series: Wexiö Designer: Arvid Ekberg Year: 1887-1910 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★☆☆ (3: Discoloration due to aging)
[Multiple items in stock] When held up to the light, cutlery marks are visible on the surface, and the gold plating on the edges shows signs of wear over time. There is also some discoloration from the kiln firing, crazing, and wear from stacking. The plate is free of cracks and chips, and is in excellent condition, retaining its original 19th century appearance. We have multiple items in stock. If you would like to inquire about the individual condition, 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.
