Mari Simmulson


Mari Simmulson – Ceramics from Upsala-Ekeby

Mari Simmulson (1911-2000) is one of the well-known representatives of the illustrious Swedish ceramic design of the 20th century. She was one of the leading designers for Gustavsberg and Upsala-Ekeby in the 1940s-1960s. Simmulson is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design. Find your favorite among Mari’s design or learn more about her by reading her biography.





Mari Simmulson – A Short Biography

Early years

Mari Simmulson (1911-2000) was born to Estonian parents in St Petersburg, Russia. At the start of the Russian revolution in 1917, the family moved back to Estonia. During the 1930s, Mari studied at the State Art School in Tallinn. After her formal education, Mari further developed her skills at the nearby Arabia porcelain factory in Helsinki.

Mari Simmulson bear
Left image, Mari with both unique and serial-produced pieces. Right image, bear sculpture from her Gustavsberg years, 1945-49.

After marrying, Mari moved to Munich where she studied sculpture. When World War II began, Mari fled to Sweden on a fishing boat. She was forced to leave behind her family and relatives, with whom she would never be reunited.

Mari Simmulson Wilhelm Kage
Left image, bust depicting Wilhelm Kage. Right image, Mari at the drawing table in 1960.

Arrival at Gustavsberg

In 1945, Mari Simmulson began working at Gustavsbergs Porcelain Factory. There, she was fortunate to work alongside the factory’s legendary leader, Wilhelm Kage. Mari’s creative output ranged from unique sculptures to small animal figurines.

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

The Upsala-Ekeby years

Mari left Gustavsberg in 1949, taking a position at Upsala-Ekeby. Together with Hjordis Oldfors and Ingrid Atterberg, she completed a trio of influential female designers who set the tone for the company in the fifties. Mari would remain at the factory until 1972, designing a variety of dishware, vases, wall plates, bowls, and figurines. She often opted for bold, colorful decor, offering a clear contrast to dark, unadorned pottery.

Mari Simmulson
Left image, Mari sculpting an original piece in 1950. Right image, grand sculpture ”Indonesiska” (Indonesian Woman) from the 1950s.

Exotic influences

The 1950s fascination with exotic cultures found its way into Mariʼs design. This stylistic trend influenced the form, decor, and naming of the objects. The acclaimed grand sculptures depicting women from Africa and Asia are fine examples of exoticism. Mari often expressed admiration for the posture and demeanor of women all over the world.

Mari Simmulson, bird
Left image, large-footed bird sculpture from the 1960s. Right image, Mari and her cat at home in 1961.

Fly like a bird

Mari was highly influenced by the air-themed paintings of Marc Chagall. It is no coincidence that birds are a recurring theme in her artwork. “Air was important for her. She said clearly that she did not want to be buried in the ground”, Mari’s daughter recalls.

Mari Simmulson, Mariana
Left image, Mari and girl sculpture from 1950. Right image, Mariana vase from 1960.  

Contemplative women

Women are ubiquitous in Mari’s artwork. They are often represented with almond-shaped eyes behind heavy eye lids. The women typically have deep, thoughtful expressions, which contrasts with the playful colors. Mari’s world was a contrast of light and dark, laughter and solemnity, all at the same time.

Mari Simmulson, cat, dish
Left image, grand dish with playful theme from 1953. Right, Mari in the Upsala-Ekeby showroom in 1959.

After Upsala-Ekeby

Mari left Upsala-Ekeby in 1972, finishing her career with a few brief stints at other Swedish ceramic factories. She is remembered as a prolific artist with a strong personality who held fast to her artistic integrity. At the same time, she understood that the objects she created should be marketable as well as beautiful. Interest in Mari’s artwork is at an all-time high today, and her two daughters give frequent lectures on her life and artistry.

Mari Simmulson, unique vase
Left image, Mari and daughter Liska, 1963. Right image, grand Senegal vase, 1957.



Overview of Mari Simmulson’s Series

Welcome to an overview of Mari Simmulson’s series! The overview encompasses the majority of Mari’s named artwork series at the Upsala-Ekeby factory in 1952–1971. Every series is presented with name, production years, and a photo of one of the objects. 


Mari Simmulson Fenix

Fenix (Phoenix), 1952

Mari Simmulson Vase Mars (March), 1952-54

Mars (March), 1952–1954

Mari Simmulson Bowl Tokyo, 1952-54

Tokyo, 1952–1954

Mari Simmulson Vase Tahiti, 1952-63

Tahiti, 1952–1963


Mari Simmulson Djungel

Djungel (Jungle), 1953


Mari Simmulson Vase Fossil, 1953-54

Fossil, 1953–1954


Mari Simmulson Vase Samba, 1953-54

Samba, 1953–1954


Mari Simmulson Vase Maj (May), 1953-58

Maj (May), 1953–1958


Mari Simmulson Peru

Peru, 1953–1966


Mari Simmulson Vase Salix, 1953-56

Salix, 1953–1956


Mari Simmulson Kaskad (Cascade), 1954

Kaskad (Cascade), 1954


Mari Simmulson Rips 1954

Rips, 1954


Mari Simmulson Sving Vase

Sving (Swing), 1954


Mari Simmulson Vesta

Vesta, 1954


Mari Simmulson Raffia

Raffia, 1954–1957


Mari Simmulson Vase Plejad (Pleiad), 1954-58

Plejad (Pleiad), 1954–1958


Mari Simmulson Moussia

Moussia, 1955–1956


Mari Simmulson Kraka

Kraka, 1955–1958


Mari Simmulson Randi

Randi 1955–1958


Mari Simmulson Kort serie

Kort serie (Short series), 1956


Mari Simmulson Vase Iris, 1956-57

Iris, 1956–1957


Mari Simmulson Moon

Moon, 1956–1957


Mari Simmulson Ritz

Ritz, 1956–1957


Mari Simmulson Akasia

Akasia, 1957


Maria-Simmulson-Pampas-Vase

Pampas, 1957


Mari Simmulson Silkscreen

Silkscreen, 1957–1958


Mari Simmulson Folio

Folio, 1957–1958


Mari Simmulson Vibrato

Vibrato, 1957–1958


Mari Simmulson Bowl Calypso, 1957-59

Calypso, 1957–1959


Mari Simmulson Vase Hedenhös, 1957-60

Hedenhös, 1957–1960


Mari Simmulson Vase Nigeria, 1957-60

Nigeria, 1957–1960




Senegal, 1957–1960




Amfora (Amphora), 1958


Mari Simmulson Geting Dish

Geting (Wasp), 1958




Inka (Inca), 1958


Mari Simmulson Set

Set, 1958–1959


Mari Simmulson Vase Trinidad, 1958-59

Trinidad, 1958–1959


Mari Simmulson Vase Manana, 1958-60

Manana, 1958–1960


Mari Simmulson Vase Rhodos, 1958-60

Rhodos, 1958–1960


Mari Simmulson Teodora

Teodora, 1958–1960


Mari Simmulson Vase Ax, 1958-61

Ax, 1958–1961


Mari Simmulson Aira Vase

Aira, 1959–1960


Mari Simmulson Nairobi

Nairobi, 1959–1960


Mari Simmulson Silene

Silene, 1959–1960




Tiger, 1959–1960


Mari Simmulson Ester Vase

Ester, 1959–1961


Mari Simmulson Vase Sagina, 1959-64

Sagina, 1959–1964


Mari Simmulson Turkos

Turkos (Turquoise), 1959–1960


Mari Simmulson Mariana

Mariana, 1959–1964


Mari Simmulson Pikea Vase

Pikea, 1960


Mari Simmulson Agave

Agave, 1960–1961


Mari Simmulson Angelina

Angelina, 1960–1961


Mari Simmulson Lilette

Lilette, 1960–1961


Mari Simmulson Timglas Vase

Timglas (Hourglass), 1960–1961


Mari Simmulson Carum

Carum, 1960–1962


Mari Simmulson Eritrea Vase

Eritrea, 1960–1962


Mari Simmulson Rubus Vase

Rubus, 1960–1962


Mari Simmulson Solblomma

Solblomma (Sunflower), 1960–1962


Mari Simmulson Manus

Manus, 1961–1962


Mari Simmulson Bowl Star, 1961-62

Star, 1961–1962


Mari Simmulson Pinus

Pinus, 1961–1963


Mari Simmulson Tora

Tora, 1961–1964


Mari Simmulson Aloe

Aloe, 1962–1963


Mari Simmulson Candida

Candida, 1962–1963


Mari Simmulson Sepia

Sepia, 1962–1963


Mari Simmulson Vase Sippa, 1962-63

Sippa, 1962–1963


Mari Simmulson Vase Tina, 1962-63

Tina, 1962–1963


Mari Simmulson Etna

Etna, 1962–1964


Mari Simmulson Lagun Vase

Lagun (Lagoon), 1963


Mari Simmulson Ruta (Square) Grafit (Graphite)

Ruta (Square)/Grafit (Graphite) 1963–1964


Mari Simmulson Kulör

Kulör (Color), 1963–1965


Mari Simmulson Onyx

Onyx, 1963–1965


Mari Simmulson Vase Rusticana, 1963-65

Rusticana, 1963–1965


Mari Simmulson Fenix

Fenix (Phoenix), 1963–1965


Mari Simmulson Delphi

Delphi, 1964–1965


Mari Simmulson Kreta

Kreta, 1964–1965


Mari Simmulson Pistill

Pistill (Pistil), 1964–1965


Mari Simmulson Vase Tokyo, 1964-65

Tokyo, 1964–1965


Mari Simmulson Vespa

Vespa, 1964–1965


Mari Simmulson Tapah

Tapah, 1964–1967


Mari Simmulson Vase Beata, 1964-69

Beata, 1964–1969


Mari Simmulson Roulette

Roulette, 1965


Mari Simmulson Textur

Textur (Texture), 1965


Mari Simmulson Vase Urna (Urn), 1965

Urna (Urn), 1965


Mari Simmulson Zig-zag

Zig-zag, 1965


Mari Simmulson Labyrint

Labyrint (Labyrinth), 1965–1967


Mari Simmulson Ringo Vase

Ringo, 1965–1967


Mari Simmulson Palma Vase

Palma, 1966




Peru, 1966


Mari Simmulson Malta

Malta, 1966–1967


Mari Simmulson Parblad

Parblad (Pair of leaves), 1966–1967


Mari Simmulson Atoll/Vallmo (Poppy)

Atoll (Coral reef) [blue]/Vallmo (Poppy) [orange] 1966–1968


Mari Simmulson Gloria

Gloria, 1966–1970


Mari Simmulson Kalebass (Gourd)

Kalebass (Gourd), 1967


Mari Simmulson Viol

Viol (Violet), 1967


Mari Simmulson Moské Vase

Moské (Mosque), 1967–1968


Mari Simmulson Patina Vase

Patina, 1967–1968


Mari Simmulson Agave

Agave, 1967–1969


Mari Simmulson Cardus

Cardus, 1967–1969


Mari Simmulson India

India, 1967–1969


Mari Simmulson Iris Vase

Iris, 1967–1969


Mari Simmulson Vase Turkosa/Korall (Coral) 1967-70

Turkosa/Korall (Coral) 1967–1970


Mari Simmulson City

City, 1968




Erica, 1968


Mari Simmulson Smaragd Vase

Smaragd (Emerald), 1968


Mari Simmulson Atra

Atra, 1968–1969


Mari Simmulson Polar

Polar, 1968–1969


Mari Simmiulson Runa Vase

Runa, 1968–1969


Mari Simmulson Aros

Aros, 1968–1970


Mari Simmulson Luna

Luna, 1968–1970


Mari Simmulson Strips Vase

Strips, 1968–1970


Mari Simmulson Rio

Rio, 1968–1971


Mari Simmulson Strof

Strof, 1969


Mari Simmulson Angelika

Angelika, 1969–1970


Mari Simmulson Blå band (Blue ribbon) vase

Blå band (Blue ribbon), 1969–1970


Mari Simmulson Lady

Lady, 1969–1970


Mari Simmulson Napoli

Napoli, 1969–1970


Mari Simmulson Aira

Aira, 1960s


Mari Simmulson Cleo

Cleo, 1960s


Mari Simmulson Jade

Jade, 1960s


Mari Simmulson Kaskad

Kaskad, 1960s


Mari Simmulson Vase Mexico, 1960s

Mexico, 1960s


Mari Simmulson Verde

Verde, 1960s




Lotus, 1970


Mari Simmulson Eternell (Immortelle)

Eternell (Immortelle), 1970–1971


Mari Simmulson Mia

Mia, 1970–1971


Mari Simmulson Veronica

Veronica, 1970–1971


Mari Simmulson Aster

Aster, 1971


Mari Simmulson Vase Mona, 1971

Mona, 1971


Mari Simmulson Natur

Natur (Nature), 1971


Mari Simmulson Solros Sunflower

Solros (Sunflower), 1971


Mari Simmulson Violetta

Violetta, 1971