Lisa Larson's Production at Gustavsberg 1954–1980

Welcome to the world of Lisa Larson (1931-), the acclaimed Swedish artist! This overview encompasses Lisa’s artistry at the Gustavsbergs factory from 1954 to 1980. The company flourished in the 1950s and 1960s, and Lisa quickly became one of the more notable designers. Her serial production often depicted people and animals with rounded shapes and kind expression.

Our ambition is to make a free and comprehensive reference guide readily available on the web. Addition and changes will be made continuously.

The year next to the series name is the design year, and the years under the images are the production years. Objects that still are in production are marked with an asterisk (*). So let’s get going!

The ”Paloma” series consists of two dishes and one colorful dove. They are made of white stoneware with rounded shapes and incised decors. The name Paloma comes from the Spanish word for dove.

The ”Small Zoo” series consists of seven animal figurines of which three are cats. They are made of chamotte stoneware with modernistic shapes. Gustavsberg’s artistic leader Stig Lindberg caught sight of the standing cat in Lisa studio, and he suggested to her that she should make a series. The bison is the most uncommon in the group.

The ”Variety” series consists of seven vases, four dishes, and one jar. They are made of white stoneware with black glaze and colorful animal and human motifs in relief. The word variety describes a performance with acts of singing and dancing.

The series ”Advent” consists of four candleholders, two vases, and a bowl. They are made of white stoneware with black glaze and blue/green incised decoration.

The ”Large Zoo” series was designed in 1957, 1959, and 1965. The six animals from 1957 are made of chamotte stoneware with modernistic shapes. The hippo and the zebra are the most uncommon in the group. The cat with the straight tail is iconic!

The ”Astrakhan” series consists of one small plate and one dish. They are made of white stoneware with glossy bluish-green glaze and apple motif in relief. The name Astrakhan comes from a group of apples originated in Russia.

The ”Shoal” consists of three dishes and two bowls. They are made of white stoneware with fish shapes, bluish green glaze, and black decoration.

The ”ABC Girls” series consists of five woman figurines with names starting with A to E. They are made of chamotte stoneware with curvy shapes. The women were initially meant as bookends, but they were too light-weighted for that purpose. The variants with the floral chromo prints are uncommon and highly sought after by the collectors.

The ”Sculptures” series consists of three large human figurines. They are made of chamotte stoneware with a kind expression. The fisherman and the Japanese were decorated in different color schemes. Stina is a rarity.

The ”Tarragona” series consists of four vases, one pitcher, and one bowl. They are made of white stoneware with incised decoration and mustard yellow or turquoise glaze. The turquoise objects are slightly less common. The name Tarragona comes from a Spanish city.

The ”Granada” series consists of three vases, one dish, and one bowl. They are made of chamotte stoneware with incised decoration and dark blue glaze. The name Granada comes from a Spanish city.

The ”Large Zoo” series was designed in 1957, 1959, and 1965. The three animals from 1959 are made of chamotte stoneware, except the cow that is made of white stoneware. The sturdy bulldog is the most famous in the group.

The ”Wall Plaques” series consists of two wall plaques depicting people traveling. They are made of chamotte (Riders) and white (Albertina) stoneware with a humorous expression. Both plaques are quite uncommon.

The wall plaque is made of white stoneware in relief with a rectangular shape and green color. It was crafted in a limited edition of 100 pieces.

The bird candleholder is made of white stoneware with a modernistic shape. It comes in a multitude of color schemes. The bird was crafted in the Gustavsberg studio which is shown by the embossed hand underneath.

The wall plaque is made of white stoneware in relief, blue/yellow colors, and a shape of a viking ship. It was crafted for the Swedish merchant navy in a very limited edition.

The wall plaque is made of white stoneware in relief with a modernistic shape. The horse was crafted in a limited edition of 150 pieces.

The ”Harlequin” series consists of two wall plaques, one bowl, and one mirror. They are made of white stoneware with forest green glaze. The colorful decor in relief depicts acrobats and birds.

The ”Josephine” series consists of a rounded cup with saucer. They are made of flintware with light blue glaze and dark blue chromo print. The cup’s shape is the same as the shape for the ”Mathilde” cup in 1962.

The ”Thalia” series consists of four vases, one wall plaque, and one mirror. They are made of white stoneware with mustard yellow glaze and relief decor depicting animals and people. The name Thalia comes from a goddess in Greek mythology.

The ”Unique” series consists of nine quadratic wall plaques. They are made of white stoneware with motifs of animals, people, and plants. The plaques with birds and cats are the most popular.

The ”Larson’s Kids” series consists of six children figurines with era-typical clothes. They are made of chamotte stoneware with rounded shapes. ”Johanna” is named after Lisa’s daughter. ”Kalle wears a cap made by Lisa’s sister Titti Wrange. ”Lotta” was decorated with a striped or white sweater. Susanna was made with different arm lengths and dress colors.

The ”Bishops” series consists of five wall plaques depicting men of the church. They are made of white stoneware, elongated shape, and various color schemes.

The ”Mathilde” series consists of twelve parts, of which the majority is tableware. They are made of flintware with light blue glaze and dark blue painted pattern. The candleholder and tureen come in different color schemes. The cup’s shape is the same as the shape for the ”Josephine” cup in 1962.

The ”Turtles” series consists of four slow-moving figurines with different size. They are made of white stoneware with rounded shapes and many color schemes. ”Turtle Maxi” is by far the most uncommon among them.

The ”Wall Plaques” series consists of seven plaques with rustic expression. They are made of white stoneware in relief. The birds, sunflower, and ”Old Town” come in different color schemes. ”Lion in Cage” is a rarity.

The series ”Miniatures” consists of two figurines with a kind expression. They are made of chamotte stoneware with glazed parts. These fellows are the smallest figurines from the Gustavsberg factory era.

The ”Caroline” series consists of four vases, two bowls, one small plate, and one candleholder. They are made of white stoneware with light blue glaze and dark blue decoration. Era-typical expression!

The ”Africa” series consists of six of which three are lions. They are made of chamotte stoneware except for the elephant that is made of white stoneware. The mule is the largest figurine from the Gustavsberg factory era.

The ”Birds” series consists of three figurines in different sizes. They are made of white stoneware with chubby shapes and many color schemes. Twitter!

”Small Cat” is made of white stoneware with modernistic shape and bluish green or orange color. Perky fellow!

The ”Menagerie” series consists of five smaller animal figurines. They are made of chamotte stoneware with a kind expression. The word menagerie describes an exhibition of foreign animals.

The ”Large Zoo” series was designed in 1957, 1959, and 1965. The four animals from 1965 are made of chamotte stoneware except for the hippo that is made of white stoneware. The ”Maxi Cat” is the most uncommon of the figurines. It got new color schemes during the 1990s and was renamed ”Cat Mia Maxi”.

The ”Round Wall Plaque” series consists of two wall plaques with animal motifs. They are made of white stoneware with a rounded shape and intense colors. There are a few wall plaques with other animal motifs.

The ”Wall Plaques” series consists of seven large plaques in relief. They are made of white stoneware with many different color schemes. There are uncertainties about the names of the four bird plaques.

The ”Strong” series consists of at least seven small candleholders. They are made of chamotte stoneware with geometric shapes and colorful glazes.

”Pippi Longstocking” with her monkey Mr. Nilsson is made of chamotte stoneware. Pippi is a famous character in the world of children author Astrid Lindgren. Gunnar Larson – Lisa’s husband – designed the box in the shape of a bed.

The ”Drabant” series consists of four wall plaques with people in historical clothes. They are made white stoneware in relief.

”Scarecrow” with birds on its shoulder is made of white stoneware. This large figurine is an an expensive rarity!

The ”Leghorn” series consists of five birds with Easter theme. They are made of white stoneware with rounded shapes and kind expressions. The word leghorn describes a breed of chicken originating in Italy.

The ”Tripp, Trapp, Trull” series consists of the cats with different sizes. They are made of white stoneware with modernistic shapes and unicolored linear decoration. Very popular kitties!

The ”Golden Tree” series consists of two trees of different sizes. They are made of chamotte stoneware with brown glaze, golden crown and bird inhabitants.

The ”Birds Wall Plaque” is made of white stoneware in relief with a motif of five birdies. It was crafted in a limited edition of unknown size. The plaque was used as a gift for those with 25 years of service within the Co-operative Union, which was the owner of Gustavsberg.

The ”Twins Wall Plaque” is made of white stoneware in relief with a twin motif. It was crafted in a limited edition of unknown size.

The ”Golden Knob” series consists of two bowls with different sizes and a knob in the center. They are made of chamotte stoneware with a few color schemes.

The ”Flower Candleholder” series consists of two candleholders of different sizes. They are made of chamotte stoneware with brown glaze and golden leaves.

The ”Trombone” candleholder is made of chamotte stoneware with a few different color schemes.

The ”Medallion” candleholder is made of chamotte stoneware. It is decorated with brown glaze, a relief pattern, and golden coins.

The bear is made of chamotte stoneware with a rounded shape and curious expression. It was made for a Swedish bank in several earthy color schemes. You can fill the bear with sand to increase its weight.

”Rosa” is made of white stoneware with hand-painted and chromo-printed decoration. The woman could have blond or brown hair. A rarity!

The ”Angel Children” series consists of three candleholders with rounded shapes and warmhearted expression. They are made of chamotte stoneware with glazes in mild tones. The three children all have names starting with ”Angel” and were sold with gray boxes.

The ”Traffic” series consists of six figurines with a transportation theme. They are made if white stoneware with a humorous expression. Very popular series among the collectors!

The ”Butterfly” series consists of three quadratic wall plaques. They are made of white stoneware with a butterfly motif in different color schemes.

The ”Pomona” series consists of four quadratic wall plaques with fruit motif in relief. They are made of white stoneware with joyous colors. The name Pomona comes from Roman mythology goddess of fruits and gardens.

The ”Jura” series consists of six animal figurines with rounded shapes and joyous expressions. The buffalo and camel are made of chamotte stoneware and the other four are made of white stoneware. The name Jura describes a geological era 200–150 million years ago.

Special orders from three trade unions with workplace motifs. They are made of white stoneware in relief with uni-colored schemes.

The ”Kennel” series consists of 13 dogs with perky expressions. Bulldog maxi and midi are made of chamotte stoneware, and the rest is made of white stoneware. The maxi bulldog is one of Lisa’s personal favorites!

The ”Adam & Eve” series consists of two children couples with flowers in their hands. They are made of chamotte stoneware with rounded shapes. The boy and girl in each couple are of equal height and with the same freckles. The two larger children have rolled out legs – a technique that Lisa often uses in her unique production.

The ”Angel Candleholder” series consists of curly blonde angels with a mild expression. They are made of white stoneware in two sizes. The larger angel is a rarity!

The ”Sträng” money box is made chamotte stoneware with a rounded shape and grumpy expression. It depicts the Swedish Minister of Finance in the 1970s.

The ”Hockey Players” series consists of a goalkeeper and an outfielder. They are made of white stoneware with decoration in Swedish colors. And he scores!!!

The ”Turn of the Century” series consists of two families of brothers and sister. The smaller trio has two versions: white stoneware and chamotte stoneware. The large trio is only made of chamotte stoneware.

The ”Masks” series consists of five wall plaques with motifs from all over the world. The masks are made of white stoneware in relief. Quite rare pieces!

Lisa Larson's series "Children of the World" comprises eight children from all corners of the world. They are made of chamotte stoneware with rounded shapes and kind expressions. The ”South" figurine exists in a small and large version. The series was made for the benefit of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The ”Cat Murre” series consists of three cats of different sizes. They are made chamotte stoneware with many color schemes. The name of ”Murre Mini” was changed to ”Måns Mini” during the 1990s.

The wall plaque is made of chamotte stoneware with a motif of a woman with a birdcage. It was crafted in a limited edition of unknown size.

The ”Endangered Species” series consists of seven Nordic animals with kind and lifelike expressions. They were sold for the benefit of WWF (World Wildlife Fund). A box and a certificate accompanied each of them. The hedgehog is highly valued among collectors!

The ”Nordic Zoo” series consists of nine figurines from the Nordic animal world. The animals with antlers are made of chamotte stoneware, and the animals without antlers are made of white stoneware. The reindeer and the elk come in two different sizes.

The dog is made of chamotte stoneware with rounded shapes and earthy tones. It was made for the 20th anniversary of a municipality organization. The dog’s medallion could have a golden, silver, or bronze color.

The ”Wall Plaques” series consists of eight large plaques in relief. They are made of chamotte stoneware in a limited edition of 950 pieces. Very popular wall plaques!

The ”Sculptures” series consists of eight people figurine and one ape. They are made of chamotte stoneware with a large difference in size. ”Girl with Dove” and ”Ape with Kid” are rarities!

The ”Noah’s Arc” series consists of ten animal figurines with partnership theme. The inspiration comes from the biblical story about Noah and the great flood. The giraffes, penguins, and sea lions are made of white stoneware – the rest is made of chamotte stoneware. The single lions are extremely rare.

The ”Advent” series consists of an elf, Lucia, maid, and star boy. They are made of chamotte stoneware with kindhearted expression. The series is a very common decoration in Nordic homes during the Christmas season.

The ”Julius & Juliana” series consists of a boy and a girl candleholder. They are made of chamotte stoneware with rounded shapes and joyous expression.

The ”Small Nordic Zoo” series consists of five small Nordic animals. They are made of white stoneware, except the pony that is made of chamotte stoneware. The bear, polar bear, and fox all have larger versions in the ”Nordic Zoo” series.

The ”Soccer Player” is made of chamotte stoneware with a rounded shape and proud expression. It was decorated in many color schemes according to different team colors. Goal!!!

The ”Blue Bird” series consists of four plates with stylistic bird motifs. They are made of white stone in a small edition. The number 2, 3 and 4 plates are rarities!

The seal is made of white stoneware with a rounded shape and kind expression. It was produced for the Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum which sold it in their shop.