Nordic Design School Artists Stig Lindberg Stig Lindberg 3 Parian

An overview of Stig Lindberg’s Parian series

Lindberg’s last artwork series

Stig Lindberg’s ”Parian” series from 1977 was his last artwork series at the Gustavsberg factory. It was officially named ”Figurin” (Figurine), but the name never really caught on among the collectors. The series was made of parian, a material composed of 1/3 kaolin clay, 1/3 Swedish feldspar and 1/3 Cornwall stone (English feldspar). The mixture creates a white, matte surface, similar to something between plaster and marble.

Old Gustavsberg parian sculpture “Bältesspannarna” (The Duellists). Early 20th century

Kaolin clay

Rediscovery of Parian

Parian was often used for figurines at the Gustavsberg factory in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Stig rediscovered the material in the 1970s and created the Parian series of seven figurines. These figurines are generally considered modernistic interpretations of the older Gustavsberg parian objects.

Stig Lindberg holding a unique pre-production “Narcissus”

“Narcissus”. 1940s chamotted stoneware version

“Narcissus”. 1977. Height 21 cm / 8.3 in

“Susanna i badet” (Susanna in the Bath). 1940s chamotted stoneware version

“Susanna i badet” (Susanna in the bath). 1977. Height 41 cm / 16.1 in

“Lilla Eva” (Small Eve). 1977. Height 18 cm / 7.1 in

“Lilla Eva” (Small Eve). 1940s chamotted stoneware version

“Stora Eva” (Large Eve). 1977. Height 30 cm / 11.8 in

Seven figurines in total

Four of the figurines in the Parian series were remakes of Stig Lindberg’s chamotted stoneware objects from the 1940s. Two figurines, ”Mannen med masken” (The Man with the Mask) and ”Tvillingarna” (The Twins), were brand new. One figurine, ”De tu” (The Two), was partly new, with its interesting addition of a screw with nuts holding the couple together.

“De tu” (The Two). 1940s chamotted stoneware version

“De tu” (The Two). 1977. Height 18 cm / 7.1 in

“Mannen med masken” (The man with the mask). 1977. Height 24 cm / 9.4 in

“Tvillingarna” (The Twins). 1977. Height 24 cm / 9.4 in

Popular limited edition

The Parian objects came in a limited edition of 500-1000 pieces. ”Narcissus” and ”Susanna i badet” (Susanna in the Bath) are more exclusive because only 500 of each were made. All figurines came with an accompanying note with the limited production number and Stig Lindberg’s signature. Today, they are all highly sought after by collectors!