Paul Hoff's Series "Archipelago" – An Overview
Paul Hoff began to design the "Arkipelag" (Archipelago) birds for the Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory in the early 1970s. The figurines depict common bird species on the Swedish coast.
| "Archipelago became my first artwork series that was produced in large quantities. The unglazed design got popular – perhaps because of the raw tone with patterns in black and red oxide." |
The series consists of fifteen birds designed over a longer period. They are made of stoneware with natural looking shapes and hand-painted decor. The figurines are still manufactured - now at the Ceramic Studio Gustavsberg. The birds who were crafted in the 1970s and 1980s may have stamped feet on the lower side.
Here is a complete overview of the Archipelago birds:
Paul Hoff during the 1980s with Archipelago birds in the background
Eider Family: "Åda" (Female Eider), length 21 cm / 8.3 in. "Guding" (Male Eider), length 19 cm / 7.5 in. "Ejderunge" (Eider Kid) length 10 cm / 3.9 in.
Goldeneye Family: "Knipa hona" (Female Goldeneye), length 17 cm / 6.7 in. "Knipa unge stående" (Goldeneye Standing Kid), height 8 cm / 3.1 in. "Knipa unge liggande" (Goldeneye Laying Kid), length 6 cm / 2.4 in.
"Lom" (Loon), length 20 cm / 7.9 in
"Silltrut" (Lesser Black-Backed Gull), length 25 cm / 9.8 in
"Skrattmås" (Black-Headed Gull), length 23 cm / 9.1 in
"Skäggdopping" (Great Crested Grebe), length 17 cm / 6.7 in
Coot Family: "Sothöna hona" (Coot Female), length 12 cm / 4.7 in. "Sothöna unge" (Coot Kid), height 6 cm / 2.4 in.
"Strandskata" (Oystercatcher), length 23 cm / 9.1 in
"Vigg hane" (Male Tufted Duck), length 14 cm / 5.5 in
"Vigg hona" (Female Tufted Duck), length 17 cm / 6.7 in
Archipelago bird with stamped feet on the lower side from the 1980s
