Wilhelm Kåge (1930–1960) Farsta from Gustavsberg

An Overview of Wilhelm Kåge’s Farsta Series

Wilhelm Kåge’s Farsta series comprises his most his most exclusive pottery artwork. It was first presented at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930, where Swedish artists, craftsmen and companies showed their latest achievements. 

The handmade Farsta pieces – totally unique in both their shape and glaze – were then crafted until 1960 in the Gustavsberg studio. The width of the pieces is striking, ranging from vases, bowls, and dishes, to urns, sculptures, and wall plaques.

The series was named after Farstalandet, the area surrounding the Gustavsberg factory. But the clay originated from Höganäs in the south of Sweden. Its high iron content gave the objects their typical dark reddish brown color.

”Farsta has been my only true uncompromising work at Gustavsberg.”

The Farsta pieces’ sculptural and powerful forms were thrown or moulded. Wilhelm then incised geometric decor on their surface. He used a wide variety of tools - among them some from his brother’s dental clinic.

After the first firing (low-temperature), the objects were dipped in metal oxides and covered with thick glazes. During the second firing (high-temperature), the oxides interacted with the glazes giving them magnificent color effects.

Wich of Wilhelm's Farsta pieces is your favorite?

Examples of Farsta Bowls

Examples of Farsta Dishes

Examples of Farsta Vases

Examples of Other Farsta Objects

The Marks of the Farsta Series

The Farsta objects are marked on the lower side with Kåge, Farsta, and a year symbol. Pieces from 1931 to 1958 use a letter from the Swedish alphabet (A–Ö). Objects from 1959 and 1960 use I9 and I10 respectively.

1952 mark of a Farsta object

1956 mark of a Farsta object

1959 mark of a Farsta object

References

"Wilhelm Kåge. Formgivare i folkhemmet.” by Petter Eklund (2017)
”Wilhelm Kåge. Keramikens mästare." by Gisela Eronn (2006)

Visit the page with all our objects by Wilhelm Kåge.