Lisa Larson (1975-81) Expressive Endangered Species from Gustavsberg
Lisa Larson designed the Endangered Species (Utrotningshotade djur) in 1975-81 for the Gustavsberg factory. The series was produced for the benefit of the World Wildlife Foundation. Endangered Species consists of seven animal figurines ranging from chubby harbor seals to mythological lynx. The objects are made of stoneware with hand decorated glazes in earthy colors. Find your favorite among Lisa’s Endangered species objects or see them all in our overview.
An Overview of Lisa Larson's Gustavsberg’s WWF Animals (1975–1987)
Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory crafted many famous animal figurines in the 20th century. Some of the most appreciated were produced for the benefit of WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Lisa Larson and Paul Hoff designed these figurines between 1975 and 1987.
The factory produced 13 WWF stoneware animals with kind and lifelike expressions. The first 12 figurines were endangered animals from the Nordic fauna. Each figurine was produced for one year and in a limited edition.
The animals were sold only at the department store NK in Stockholm and Gothenburg. A box and a certificate accompanied each of them.
The last figurine – the panda – was meant to start a new cooperation with ten endangered international animals. WWF wanted the panda to look like their logotype. Unfortunately, the cooperation between Gustavsberg and WWF ended after this first figurine.
Which is your favorite among these warmhearted WWF animals?
WWF Animals (1975–1981) by Lisa Larson
Lisa Larson designed the first seven Nordic animals: Lynx (3000 ex), Golden Eagle (1500 ex), Gray Seal (2000 ex), Wisent (2000 ex), Hedgehog (2200 ex), Otter (2500 ex), and Peregrine Falcon (1700 ex). The hedgehog is highly valued among collectors!
Lisa Larson
Lodjur (Lynx), 1975, length 22 cm / 8.7 in
Kungsörn (Golden Eagle), 1976, height 19 cm / 7.5 in
Gråsäl (Gray Seal), 1977, length 18 cm / 7.1 in
Visent (Wisent), 1978, length 23 cm / 9.1 in
Igelkott (Hedgehog), 1979, length 17 cm / 6.7 in
Utter (Otter), 1980, height 21 cm / 8.3 in
Pilgrimsfalk (Peregrine Falcon), 1981, height 17 cm / 6.7 in
WWF Animals (1982–1987) by Paul Hoff
After Lisa Larson left Gustavsberg in the early 1980s, Paul Hoff continued to design five more Nordic animals: European Green Toad (1500 ex), Arctic Goose (1000 ex), Barn Owl (1000 ex), Arctic Fox (1000 ex), and Eagle Owl (1000 ex). The concluding panda was meant to be sold in a limited edition. However, it is unclear if it was.
Paul Hoff (1945–)
Grönfläckig padda (European Green Toad), 1982, length 16 cm / 6.3 in
Fjällgås (Arctic Goose), 1983, length 21 cm / 8.3 in
Tornuggla (Barn Owl), 1984, height 21 cm / 8.3 in
Fjällräv (Arctic Fox), 1985, height 20 cm / 7.9 in
Berguv (Eagle Owl), 1986, length 22 cm / 8.7 in
Panda, 1987, length 19 cm / 7.5 in
WWF's logo with a panda
Please visit our Lisa Larson page to view all her objects.