This ashtray is part of the Thalia series, which Lisa Larson produced for Gustavsberg over a period of nine years from 1960. Thalia is named after the Greek goddess Thalia, one of the goddesses of literature, music, and dance, and the edge is decorated with a cowherd and a cow.
There are two types of Thalia ashtrays: one with a deep recess and one with a shallow recess. This one is shallow and low. Its original purpose is as an ashtray, but it is also suitable for various purposes such as a bowl or small item holder.
■Details Manufacturer: Gustavsberg Designer: Lisa Larson
Series name: Thalia Year: 1960-1969 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
It is in perfect condition with no notable damage. It is a vintage item in very good condition.
■Size: Diameter 14.5cm, Height 4.5cm
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.