The Gustavsberg porcelain factory was, for many decades, the largest ceramics maker in Sweden and home to some of the most innovative and ingenious makers of the past century. The company, founded in 1825, mass-produced a wide range of products: first decorative household items and tableware in the English style and later bathroom fixtures, including the first pressed-steel bathtubs that would oust heavy cast iron. But of first interest to collectors are the remarkable decorative works created in the Gustavsberg art pottery studio, in particular those by master ceramists Wilhelm Kåge, Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Gustavsberg began producing some individually crafted, highly decorated and richly glazed pieces in the 1860s. While the forms of their mass-produced vessels and plates derived from English, Continental and Asian styles, a select few painters won acclaim for their personal artistry. Gunnar Wennerberg became known for his work in the organic Art Nouveau style, and Josef Ekberg, the company’s design chief from 1908 to 1917, was revered for his expert use of iridescent lusterware glazes and the sgraffito technique, in which a decorative pattern is incised in the surface of a clay pot before it is glazed and fired.
It was not until Ekberg’s successor, Wilhelm Kåge, opened Gustavsberg’s first dedicated art pottery studio that the work became widely recognized. Kåge’s “Argenta” series, which encompasses a variety of vessels coated with an oxidized green glaze and decorated in silver motifs, remains popular. Though perhaps his most striking works are his “Surrea” vases — white bisque porcelain in off-kilter forms inspired by Cubist paintings — and his “Farsta” wares, which include totemic, spindly footed stoneware vases and bowls with textured surfaces, glazed in brown, green and blue.
Kåge’s finest protégés, Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg, took over from Kåge as Gustavsberg’s design directors in 1945. Friberg was a master potter. He threw elegant, simple, symmetrical vases and bowls painstakingly coated in layer after layer of matte glazing to achieve a classic striated effect known as “rabbit’s fur.” Lindberg’s highly collectible studio ceramics fall into two principal categories: The first is made of white porcelain pieces in round, biomorphic or stylized natural forms. The second includes weightier vases — many with textured bodies and applied decorations — glazed in deep, earthy colors. As you will see from the works on these pages, Gustavsberg was a bastion of creativity and precise artistry that turned out a remarkable range of works whose style still resonates with lovers of Scandinavian design.
Faience Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful faience bowl with amazing geometric pattern. Designed by Stig Lindberg in Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. Signed with the Gustavsberg studio hand...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Stoneware Platter by Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking, oversized stoneware platter by Berndt Friberg. Weighty. Beautiful blue hare’s fur glaze, rusty brown in the center. Berndt Friberg was a Swedish ceramicist, renowned for...
Stoneware
$620Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Stig Lindberg Leaf Bowl Hand Painted Studio Pottery Sweden Polkadots
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and iconic Lindberg hand-painted pattern in lemon yellow. No chips, and no cracks, but there are some glaze skips to front left tip and rear side of stem, pictured. Just ov...
Stoneware
Wilhelm Kage Vaga Wave Bowl Gustavsberg Sweden 1940s Stoneware White Glaze
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Basel, BS
Wilhelm Kåge white ‚Carrara‘ glazed ‚Våga‘ (wave) bowl for Gustavsberg in the late 1940s to early 1950s, hand-crafted in Sweden. Good condition with signs of use and age, staining ...
Stoneware
Set of 2 White 'Vaga' Bowls by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s.
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of two beautiful 'Våga' bowls. Stoneware with white 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Swedish Grace. Great condition. Impressed wi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stoneware Bowl by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1965
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware bowl with amazing hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1965. Great condition. A dark spot in...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Stoneware Floor Vase by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stoneware floor vase by Stig Lindberg, in a plump form and imposing size. Graphic striped pattern, rich brown tenmoku glaze.
Stoneware
Unique Stoneware Violet Bowl by Margareta Hennix for Gustavsberg Studio, 1970s
By Margareta Hennix, Gustavsberg
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Unique Stoneware Violet Bowl by Margareta Hennix for Gustavsberg Studio (1970s) This exquisite stoneware bowl, produced in the 1970s at Gustavsberg Studio, features a delightful violet motif and boasts a beautiful violet glaze. The bowl, which measures 17 cm in diameter, is signed with the studio hand and reads "M Hennix GUSTAVSBERG SWEDEN." Margareta Hennix (1941–) is renowned as one of Sweden’s leading ceramic artists. After studying ceramics and glass at “Konstfack” in Stockholm from 1959 to 1963, she worked for over 20 years at the Gustavsberg factory, where she designed vibrant tableware collections such as Juliana, Krokus, and Viggen. Her work is prominently represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design. Margareta began her career in 1967 as a decorative painter at Gustavsberg, where she created notable items like the Heja Sverige pot and various porcelain series, including Tussilago and Änglafia. She also designed stylish plastic flower pots...
Stoneware
Set of 2 White 'Vaga' Bowls by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
Set of 2 beautiful 'Våga' bowls. Stoneware with 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. 'Swedish Modern'. Excellent condition. Stamped 'Gusta...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stoneware Platter by Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking stoneware platter by Berndt Friberg, with a checkered decor in aquamarine, blue and purple. Heavy quality. Berndt Friberg was a Swedish ceramicist, renowned for his stone...
Stoneware
Bowl 'Farsta' designed by Willhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1959
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
The Farsta series by Wilhelm Kåge, produced between 1930 and 1960 at the Gustavsberg studio is one of his most exclusive and celebrated series. Characterised by sculptural forms and ...
Stoneware
“Veckla” Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg 1950's
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Örebro, SE
Lovely “Veckla” bowl by Stig Lindberg, white carrara stoneware. Folded form. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use. Blemishes as seen on the pictures.
Stoneware
Wilhelm Kage Large dish ceramic "Argenta" for Gustavsberg Sweden 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Paris, IDF
WILHELM KÅGE. Large round dish, "Argenta", Gustavsberg. Marked underneath Gustavsberg Argenta 1157. Stoneware in green glaze, with silver decoration of figures and fish, height 6, d...
Silver
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
"Nude Archers, " Rare Art Deco Dish Celebrating Stockholm Archery Competition
By Gustavsberg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare and stunning example of the Argenta line of porcelain art wares produced by the Gustavsberg works in Sweden, characterized by a glowing, turquoise blue-green glaze decorated w...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Stig Lindberg Planters or Bowls for Gustavsberg, Sweden
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mid-Century Modern Stig Lindberg handmade planters or use as bowls for Gustavsberg. Lindberg designed "Silur" series in 1962 for Gustavsberg. Typical for Swedish design at this time ...
Clay, Stoneware
Scandinavian Modern Carrara Bowl, "Wave" by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, Sweden
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wilhelm Kåge Stoneware Bowl "Wave" by Gustavsberg. White stoneware with Carrara Glaze. 1940s. Fantastic condition. An eye-catcher object, for every design hunter.
Stoneware
$860Sale Price|20% Off
Berndt Friberg, Unique Piece, Bowl, Gustavsberg, 1970
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product Description: Berndt Friberg was one of the most influential ceramists in mid-century Sweden, his works are still popular world-wide and are known for their elegance and bea...
Earthenware, Ceramic
Stoneware Miniature Bowl by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Stig Lindberg, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful miniature stoneware bowl with amazing glossy glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. Great condition. Incise...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Tiny Stoneware Miniature Bowl by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Stig Lindberg, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and tiny miniature stoneware bowl with amazing yellow-green glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. Great con...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ceramic Bowl in Hare fur glaze, 1960's
By Gustavsberg
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic Bowl in Hare fur glaze, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Hare fur glaze, ceramic Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Gustavsberg in ...
Ceramic
Set of 2 White 'Vaga' Bowls by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s.
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of two beautiful 'Våga' bowls. Stoneware with white 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Swedish Grace. Great condition. Stamped with...
Ceramic, Stoneware
“Veckla” Bowl by Stig Lindberg
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking, large “Veckla” bowl by Stig Lindberg. Rare model with the characteristic, smoothly folded design. Made in carrara stoneware.
Stoneware
Wilhelm Kage Plate ceramic "Argenta" Gustavsberg Sweden 1950s. Marked
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Paris, IDF
Wilhelm Kåge, square plate in ceramic "Argenta" Gustavsberg, 1950s. Green glaze stoneware with silver decoration of fish. Dimensions approximately 29 x 29 cm. Inscription on the bott...
Silver
“Veckla” Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg 1950's
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Örebro, SE
Lovely “Veckla” bowl by Stig Lindberg, white carrara stoneware. Folded form. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use. Blemishes.
Stoneware
Farsta Bowl by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg Studio
By Gustavsberg, Wilhelm Kage
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A large, glazed stoneware Farsta bowl with hand inscribed Asian calligraphic inspired decoration. Signed 'Kage,' Studio Gustavsberg,' on underside, a...
Stoneware
Swedish Modern Reptile Satin White Ceramic Bowl Stig Lindberg Gustavsberg 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Miami, FL
Stig Lindbergh for Gustavsberg, Sweden, His REPTILE Series (1953-1963) #264 large size leaf shaped vessel bowl in white satin glaze with texture design on inside of vessel. Measures...
Ceramic, Pottery