Scandinavia
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Plant pots with saucer (early 1970s)
Theme: Arabia (Finland)

Ceramics don't come much better than this. Beautifully simple and functional 70s design, coupled with high quality manufacture and finish. The pot has a hole to allow water to run out into the saucer. The ceramic body is heavy, and this set of three (there is another white one) have survived undamaged, despite being used (and having some patches of limescale). The black one has a stamp, presumably with a date stamp for 1973. The white ones have partial green stamps, or else the stamps have worn completely away. The backstamps on this range are the only weak point: they are very easily rubbed off during cleaning, so be careful! I was unbelievably lucky, getting these for 3 euros each in a flea market in Holland (2004).

Value: £ 15-25 each
Vase, c. 1950s
Theme: Gefle (Sweden)

Black matt glaze or paint, with white stripes. Resembling John Clappison's elegance pattern for Hornsea. Backstamped in gilt 1034/194 UPSALA-EKEBY GEFLE MADE IN SWEDEN. Backstamp shows 3 the smoking kilns logo of Gefle, originally an independent pottery, but taken over by Upsala-Ekeby in 1936, and closed in 1979. Mint condition, some wear to the black black round the foot rim, on the underside. Spelling note: Upsala with one 'p' is the correct spelling for the Upsala-Ekeby company, whereas the modern University city of Uppsala has two p's.

Value: £ 30
Domino Ashtray
Theme: Gustavsberg (Sweden)

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Designed by Stig Lindberg in 1955, and first made for the H55 Art Exhibition in Helsingborg, Sweden, in that year. In production until 1970. With a maze-like relief pattern. According to Jackson (1998), the domino range foreshadows the sixties, with its op art pattern and straight-sided shapes. Other ashtrays and vases in this collectable range had spiral patterns made up of small black and white triangles, or simple, spiral lines. This piece is in perfect condition.

Value: £ 30-100
Reptil vase (1965)
Theme: Gustavsberg (Sweden)

Another popular Stig Lindberg design for Gustavsberg. Textured surface imitating scales. Gustavsberg, Sweden anchor backstamp. Tiny underglaze indent on lower margin, but hardly visible; otherwise perfect. Other colours include pale blue, cobalt blue and olive green. The olive green is scarcer and worth more.

Value: £ 70-150
Ole mug
Theme: Royal Copenhagen (Denmark)

By Ole Jensen (born 1958). This is a current production range of Royal Copenhagen at the time of writing (2003). See their website for more details. Item no. 1182493. Stamped: Royal Copenhagen Fajence, Denmark. Purchased new in the late 1990s.

Value: £ 5




Background information
Several pieces from the Scandinavian countries

Scandinavia Themes
Quick list. Click to jump down to the description
 Arabia (Finland)    Gefle (Sweden)   Gustavsberg (Sweden)   Royal Copenhagen (Denmark)  

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Arabia (Finland)
No description available

Gefle (Sweden)
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Gustavsberg (Sweden)
No description available

Royal Copenhagen (Denmark)
No description available

Stamp information