A vintage chocolate cup from the Prunus series from the famous Swedish kiln Gustavsberg. Two types of Prunus series cups were produced: a conical coffee cup and a tea cup. Generally, it was sold in only two sizes, but this large chocolate cup was also produced as a prototype. The chocolate cup is said to be a phantom piece that was almost never manufactured.
The series name, Prunus, refers to plums and means "plum" in Japanese. It depicts a type of plum that bears circular blue fruit. The Prunus series is still sold as a reprint in cups and plates, but the difference with the current version is that the vintage back stamp features a large plum. The back stamp of the reprint version is the anchor mark, which is the company's emblem, and the vintage charm lies in the plum mark on the back.
Regarding Prunus chocolate cups, there are many cases where the cups have cracks, cracks, or penetrations. It is likely that it was not mass-produced because it was prone to cracking and penetration during the manufacturing process. This cup also has dents and dirt intrusion on the rim. The body itself shows no paint loss and has hardly been used, so it is thought that there may have been some flaw in the manufacturing process in the first place.
The production period for Prunus was 12 years from 1962 to 1974. This chocolate cup is engraved with the Gustavsberg logo, which was updated in 1970, so it must have been manufactured after 1970.
For more information about this product, please see the blog article → "Gustavsberg Prunus Chocolate Cup"
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg / Gustavsberg Form Design: Stig Lindberg / Stig Lindberg Series Name: Prunus / Prunus Year: 1970s Country of Origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★☆☆ (3.5: Good)
It is in good condition with no paint loss. There is a dent under the glaze on the edge of the cup. Also, the browning on the edges, top of the handle, and bottom is due to color transfer during firing. There are dents on the back edge of the saucer where the glaze is not applied, but this is also due to the manufacturing process. There are some scratches on the saucer surface and the inside bottom of the cup when held under light, but it is in very good condition for a Prunus chocolate cup.
■Size
Cup diameter 10.2cm Height 6.6cm Width 13.2cm (including handle) Saucer diameter 18.5cm
Stig Lindberg
Stig Lindberg (1916-1982)
Born in Umeå, the central city of northern Sweden. Originally from Stockholm's art school Konstfack ( Learn painting at Konstfack. He joined Gustavsberg in 1937 and gradually rose to prominence under the tutelage of his mentor, Wilhelm Koge. Twelve years later, in 1949, he succeeded Koge as the company's art director in charge of design.
Since then, Lindberg has released numerous works as a standard bearer of Swedish modernism in the mid-20th century. During Lindberg's time, the Gustavsberg workshop was at its peak, and its works from that time are recognized as works from the golden period known as ``mid-century,'' and are highly valued. Lindberg's studio is called G-Studion, where young designers are demonstrating their skills and producing famous artists such as Lisa Larson.
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.