THE ITEM
This enduring work of Swedish Art Deco elegance is by celebrated Swedish ceramist and designer Josef Ekberg (b. 1877 - d. 1945).
This piece is shaped with softly scalloped edges and four stylised stems. The decor is a vibrant, semi-matte sea-green lustre glaze that shows off its iridescent shades of blues, purple and gold. The work is finished in gold glaze gilding to the stems, the rim and floral motifs at the centre.
Ekberg began working with lustres after William Kåge arrived at Gustavsberg in 1917. The glazes of each piece were hand painted and finished off with gold patterns and borders.
CONDITION
Good vintage condition. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is apparent wear to the gold gilding that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed 'J Ekberg', marked with the Gustavsberg stamp and numbered 'N-132'.
MEASUREMENTS
c. 3.5" / 9 cm tall (from base to tallest point ) x c. 13" / 33 cm in length (across widest point). Width: c. 10.2" / 26 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,296 g
NOTES
Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Josef Alfred Ekberg (b. 1877 - d. 1945), ceramist and designer was born in Värmdö, Sweden and had begun working in Gustavsberg's painting room as early as 1889, when he only 12 years old.
Josef became a good friend with Gunnar Wennerberg and in 1898 they developed the Sgraffito technique together. Ekberg and Wennerberg were also honoured to present their new technique at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, where it was warmly received.
During the years of 1908 to 1917, Ekberg had the role of artistic director at the Gustavsberg, a position he later assigned to Wilhelm Kåge. Ekberg would remain at Gustavsberg until his death in 1945.