Nordic Design School Artists Lisa Larson Lisa Larson (1) All världens barn

Lisa Larson’s Children of the World - An Overview

Lisa Larson's series "Children of the World" comprises eight children from all corners of the world. They were designed in 1974-75 at the Gustavsberg factory, and they quickly became best sellers. The series was made for the benefit of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Since the 1990s, the figurines are manufactured by the Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Lisa Larson Danny Kay Children of the world

Left image: Lisa Larson and United Nationʼs goodwill ambassador Danny Kay with ”Children of the world” figurines in their hands in 1974. Right image: All figurines in the Children of the World series.

The eight children have rounded form and kind expression. They are made of stoneware clay mixed with chamotte, a finely crushed oven-proof ceramic. It gives the figurines the grainy and rustic appearance that characterizes much of Lisa's design. The children are glazed and decorated by hand with good craftsmanship.

Lisa Larson's Children of the world are all small, except a larger version of the figurine "South" (Syd). The four figurines from 1974 are named after the four cardinal directions, while the four children from 1975 have personal names from their regions of origin.

Left image. North (Nord). Inuit girl dressed for cold weather. Height 12 cm (4.7 in). Designed in 1974, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Right image. South (Syd). African squatting boy. Height 11 cm (4.3 in). Designed in 1974, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Left image. West (Vast). Swedish boy ready for a day on the beach. Height 13 cm (5.1 in). Designed in 1974, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Right image. East (Ost). Asian girl carrying her minor sibling. Height 13 cm (5.1 in). Designed in 1974, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

South maxi (Syd maxi) Large version of South. Height 18 cm (7.1 in). Designed in 1974, then small-scale manufactured in 1974-75 at the Gustavsberg studio. There is no later production of this charmer!

Lisa Larson All världens barn Ivan Maria

Left image. Ivan. Russian boy on the dance floor. Height 12 cm (4.7 in). Designed in 1975, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Right image. Maria. South American girl holding a tasty beverage. Height 14 cm (5.5 in). Designed in 1975, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Left image. Mei. Chinese sitting girl. Height 10 cm (3.9 in). Designed in 1975, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Right image. Nils. Boy from the Nordic Sami people with traditional clothing. Height 13 cm (5.1 in). Designed in 1974, then manufactured to the end of 1980s at the Gustavsberg factory. Since 1991, manufactured at Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.

Are you interested in other figurines than Children of the world? Please visit the web site with all our Lisa Larson objects.