Ingrid Atterberg – Ceramics from Upsala-Ekeby

Ingrid Atterberg (1920-2008) is one of the well-known representatives of the illustrious Swedish ceramic design of the 20th century. She was one of the leading designer for the Upsala-Ekeby factory in the 1950s and 1960s. Atterberg is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design. Find your favorite among Ingrid’s design or learn more about her by reading her biography.

Ingrid Atterberg (Pronto 1958) Era-typical Vase in Relief (12 cm)

$52

-50%

Ingrid Atterberg (Mimosa 1952) Gently Oval Vase with Leaf Decor 18 cm

$134$67

-50%

Ingrid Atterberg (Mimosa 1952) Gently Swelling Vase with Leaf Decor 27 cm

$183$92

Ingrid Atterberg (Mimosa 1952) Gently Swelling Vase with Leaf Decor 18 cm

$104

Ingrid Atterberg (Västkust 1943) Swelling Vase with White Dots 12 cm

$104

Ingrid Atterberg (Decora 1944) Brown/Blue Bowl with Leaf Relief 22 cm

$40

Ingrid Atterberg (Negro 1953) Oval Bowl with Incised Decor 19 cm

$52

Ingrid Atterberg (Västkust 1943) Swelling Vase with White Dots 9 cm

$79

Ingrid Atterberg (Parma 1953) Blue Slender Vase 28 cm

$104

Ingrid Atterberg (Tricorn 1967) Modern Triangular Vase 11 cm

$61

-50%

Ingrid Atterberg (Pastell 1958) Blue Swelling Vase 15 cm

$122$61

Ingrid Atterberg (Västkust 1943) Swelling Vase with White Dots 14/12 cm (2)

$110

Ingrid Atterberg (Sintergods 1957) Black Vase with Swelling Base 11 cm

$52

Ingrid Atterberg (1950s) Unique Bowl with Colorful Decor 16 cm

$110

Ingrid Atterberg (Vesuv 1960) Green Tall Vase with Circular Relief 26 cm

$46

Ingrid Atterberg (Fiorella 1958) Triangular Bowl with Linear Decor 17 cm

$27

-25%

Ingrid Atterberg (Bris 1960s) Turquoise Swelling Vase with Relief Pattern 13 cm

$55$41

Ingrid Atterberg (Negro 1953) Striking Rounded Bowl 16 cm

$37

Ingrid Atterberg (1950s) Unique Black Vase with Relief Decor 26 cm

$82

Ingrid Atterberg (Västkust 1943) Swelling Vase with White Dots 18/16 cm

$202

Ingrid Atterberg (Plan 1957) Black Rough Vase 21 cm

$64

Ingrid Atterberg (Pepita 1954) Flower Pot with White Diamonds Pattern 9 cm

$46

Great Book of Upsala -Ekeby (2018)

$43

Ingrid Atterberg (Spiral 1949) Vase with Twirling Decor 20 cm

$73

Ingrid Atterberg – A Short Biography

The early years

Ingrid Atterberg (1920-2008) was born in the northern Sweden city of Harnosand. She studied at Slojdforeningens School in Gothenburg. Ingrid came to the Upsala-Ekeby Pottery factory in 1944, staying on until 1964. She became one of the foremost Swedish designers of the period.

Prominent Upsala-Ekeby artists from left to right: Ingrid Atterberg, Taisto Kaasinen, Hjordis Oldfors, Mari Simmulson, Viking Göransson and Sven Erik Skawonius.

Experiment and creativity

Ingrid constantly experimented with different glazes and techniques. She found the work process inspiring, and thought failures often gave birth to new ideas. Her austere, bold designs of ornamental pieces and everyday goods led to significant artistic and commercial success. During Ingrid’s time at Upsala-Ekeby, she produced over 100 series.

Left image, Ingrid holding a grand Spiral vase. Right image, a duo of Spiral vases from 1949.

Twirling Spiral series

One of Ingrid Atterberg’s most beloved series was "Spiral" from 1949. Spiral was an earthenware series noted for classic forms and spiral décor in pastel colors. The vases from the series are especially prized, and now found in many Swedish collector’s homes.

Left image, swelling Grafika vase from 1951. Right image, Ingrid during a break.

Modern Grafika series

In 1951, the series "Grafika" was released, with black and white geometric decor on goods with organic forms. The managers at Upsala-Ekeby were not impressed, calling the series "burial accessories". Still, Grafika was hailed by critics and the public alike.

Ingrid carving a grand map-like decor. Right image, Negro vase from 1953.

Negro series and exotic influences

The 1950s fascination with exotic cultures found its way into Ingrid Atterberg’s artistic series. This stylistic interest influenced the form, decor, and naming of the series. Ingrid’s "Negro" series from 1953 was a fine example, produced with manganese clay with striking carved white decor. The series with its raw but sophisticated design is now very sought after among pottery collectors.

Left image, abstract art piece from 1956. Right image, Ingrid during mural painting.

Abstract art

In 1956, Atterberg released three acclaimed series which are best described as pure abstract art. The series were produced in editions of only 50 to 100 copies. These series are among the most prized among Atterberg’s work.

Left image, Ingrid staging Upsala-Ekeby's showroom. Right image, rough chamotte vase from the 1960s.

Rough Chamotte series

Ingrid Atterberg was always ready to experiment with form, material, glazes, and decor. The “Chamotte” series was produced by spreading burned, crushed clay on finished stoneware. The rough surface provided a strong contrast against the ultra-modern decor.

Left image, unique sculpture with people motif. Right image, Ingrid inspecting a unique grand dish.

Unique art

Ingrid's unique pieces for Upsala-Ekeby are among the finest in Swedish artistic ceramics. This distinction is especially apparent in the works that departed from the style of her series. These items are now highly valued in the art market.

Left image, Ingrid, her husband Viking Goransson and their Dalmatian. Right image, unique bowl with abundant crazing from the 1970s.

After Upsala-Ekeby

After Ingrid Atterberg ended her tenure at Upsala-Ekeby, she settled into freelance work for businesses and art production in her own studio. The most remarkable work from this period was her experiments with glazes and cracked clay. Atterberg was able to produce distinctive results and these items are now treasured by collectors.

Overview of Ingrid Atterberg’s Series

Welcome to an overview of Ingrid Atterberg’s series! The overview encompasses the majority of Ingrid’s named artwork series at the Upsala-Ekeby factory in 1943–1963. Every series is presented with name, production years, and a photo of one of the objects.

Ingrid Atterberg, Västkust (West coast), 1943-56

Västkust (West Coast), 1943–1956

Ingrid Atterberg, Decora, 1944-53

Decora, 1944–1953

Ingrid Atterberg, Ljung (Heather), 1944-53

Ljung (Heather), 1944–1953

Ingrid Atterberg, Randi, 1944-53

Randi, 1944–1953

Star, 1944–1953

Ingrid Atterberg, Inca, 1947-53

Inca, 1947–1953

Ingrid Atterberg, Lapptäcke, (Patchwork) 1948-50

Lapptäcke (Patchwork), 1948–1950

Ingrid Atterberg, Jasmin (Jasmine), 1949-53

Jasmin (Jasmine), 1949–1953

Ingrid Atterberg, Spiral, 1949-58

Spiral, 1949–1958

Ingrid Atterberg, Sommar (Summer), 1951-53

Sommar (Summer), 1951–1953

Ingrid Atterberg, Grafika, 1951-54

Grafika, 1951–1954

Ingrid Atterberg, Manet (Jellyfish), 1951-54

Manet (Jellyfish), 1951–1954

Ingrid Atterberg, Mimosa, 1952-54

Mimosa, 1952–1954

Ingrid Atterberg, Florens, (Florence) 1953-54

Florens (Florence), 1953–1954

Ingrid Atterberg, Parma, 1953-56

Parma, 1953–1956

Ingrid Atterberg, Retina, 1953-56

Retina, 1953–1956

Ingrid Atterberg, Somali, 1953-57

Somali, 1953–1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Negro, 1953-58

Negro, 1953–1958

Ingrid Atterberg, Burma, 1954-55

Burma, 1954–1955

Ingrid Atterberg, Domino, 1954-55

Domino, 1954–1955

Ingrid Atterberg, Kaffer, 1954-55

Kaffer, 1954–1955

Ingrid Atterberg, Pepita, 1954-56

Pepita, 1954–1956

Ingrid Atterberg, Corso, 1954-63

Corso, 1954–1963

Ingrid Atterberg, Pylon, 1955-56

Pylon, 1955–1956

Ingrid Atterberg, Strega, 1955-56

Strega, 1955–1956

Ingrid Atterberg, Presenta, 1955-57

Presenta, 1955–1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Vinga, 1955-57

Vinga, 1955–1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Solo, 1955-57

Solo, 1955–1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Kort serie (Short series), 1956

Kort serie (Short series), 1956

Ingrid Atterberg, Kongo, 1956-57

Kongo, 1956–1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Stretto, 1956-57

Stretto, 1956–1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Lansett (Lancet), 1956-62

Lansett (Lancet), 1956–1962

Ingrid Atterberg, Colora, 1956-65

Colora, 1956–1965

Ingrid Atterberg, Bukett (Bouquet), 1957

Bukett (Bouquet), 1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Calla, 1957

Calla, 1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Sintergods (Sinterware), 1957

Sintergods (Sinterware), 1957

Ingrid Atterberg, Tricorn, 1957-58

Tricorn, 1957–1958

Ingrid Atterberg, Chamotte, 1957-59

Chamotte, 1957–1959

Ingrid Atterberg, Bohus, 1957-61

Bohus, 1957–1961

Ingrid Atterberg, Plan, 1957-61

Plan, 1957–1961

Ingrid Atterberg, Randa, 1957-61

Randa, 1957–61

Ingrid Atterberg, Pastell (Pastel), 1958

Pastell (Pastel), 1958

Ingrid Atterberg, Bianca, 1958-59

Bianca, 1958–1959

Ingrid Atterberg, Corinna, 1958-59

Corinna, 1958–1959

Ingrid Atterberg, Domani, 1958-59

Domani, 1958–1959

Ingrid Atterberg, Progresso, 1958-59

Progresso, 1958–1959

Ingrid Atterberg, Pronto, 1958-59

Pronto, 1958–1959

Ingrid Atterberg, Spira (Spire), 1958-59

Spira (Spire), 1958–1959

Ingrid Atterberg, Fiorella, 1958-60

Fiorella, 1958–1960

Ingrid Atterberg, Eterna, Vase, 1958

Eterna, 1958

Ingrid Atterberg, Jail, 1959-60

Jail, 1959–1960

Ingrid Atterberg, Mima, 1959-60

Mima, 1959–1960

Ingrid Atterberg, Dori, 1959-61

Dori, 1959–1961

Ingrid Atterberg, Yurg, 1959-61

Yurg, 1959–1961

Ingrid Atterberg, Gondel or Yondel, 1959-67

Gondel [green]/Yondel [yellow], 1959–1967

Ingrid Atterberg, Sparta, 1959-67

Sparta, 1959–1967

Ingrid Atterberg, Papyrus, 1960

Papyrus, 1960

Ingrid Atterberg, Faenza, 1960

Faenza, 1960

Ingrid Atterberg, Campo, 1960-61

Campo, 1960–1961

Ingrid Atterberg, Ramo, 1960-61

Ramo, 1960–1961

Ingrid Atterberg Rapallo Vase

Rapallo, 1960–1961

Ingrid Atterberg, Azur, 1960-62

Azur, 1960–1962

Ingrid Atterberg, Vesuv, 1960-62

Vesuv, 1960–1962

Ingrid Atterberg, Florian, 1961

Florian, 1961

Ingrid Atterberg, Daria, 1961-62

Daria, 1961–1962

Ingrid Atterberg, Vienna, 1961-62

Vienna, 1961–1962

Ingrid Atterberg, Kastanj (Chestnut), 1961-62

Kastanj (Chestnut), 1961–1962

Ingrid Atterberg, Fiamma, 1961-64

Fiamma, 1961–1964

Ingrid Atterberg, Creo, 1961-65

Creo, 1961–1965

Ingrid Atterberg, Verona, 1961-65

Verona, 1961–1965

Ingrid Atterberg, Bari, 1962

Bari, 1962

Ingrid Atterberg, Fulvia, 1962-63

Fulvia, 1962–1963

Ingrid Atterberg, Nevada, 1962-64

Nevada, 1962–1964

Ingrid Atterberg, Sacra, 1962-64

Sacra, 1962–1964

Ingrid Atterberg, Tri, 1963-1967

Tri, 1963-1967

Ingrid Atterberg, Roma, 1963

Roma, 1963

Ingrid Atterberg, Bris (Breeze), 1960s

Bris (Breeze), 1960s

Ingrid Atterberg, Plan, 1960s

Plan, 1960s