AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase
AnyesAttic Ceramic Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase

Josef Ekberg, 'Sgraffito' for Gustavsberg, 1909 Swedish Art Nouveau Floral Blue Ceramic Vase

Regular price £298.00 Sale price £203.00 Save £95.00

THE ITEM
This enduring graceful and elegant work of Swedish Art Nouveau design is by celebrated Swedish ceramist and designer Josef Ekberg (b. 1877 - d. 1945).

This works softly swelling abstract bottle form is in the classic baluster shape and an excellent canvas for Ekberg's best known Sgraffito technique that was presented at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900. The technique involves the application of two successive layers of contrasting slip or glaze to an unfired ceramic body, and then in either case, a scratching so as to reveal parts of the underlying layer.

The stylised abstract Art Nouveau flora and verdure design is very tactile and accentuated by the Sgrafitto technique. The raised relief is in a powdered steel blue against the base glaze of pale turquoise.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Josef Alfred Ekberg (b. 1877 - d. 1945), ceramist and designer was born in Värmdö, Sweden and had began working in Gustavsberg's painting room as early as 1889, when he only 12 years old.

Josef soon became a good friend with Gunnar Wennerberg and in 1898 they developed the so-called Sgraffito technique together. Ekberg and Wennerberg were also honored to present their new technique at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, where it was warmly received.

Ekberg is best known for his Sgraffito technique, but he also created many art objects and patterns. 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.

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips, cracks or scratches to the vase, there is mild and natural crazing that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of condition report. The underside of the base of the vase is signed 'Gustafsberg 1909, J. Ekberg'.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 8.7" / 22 cm tall (from base to tallest point ) x c. 5.9" / 15 cm in diameter (across widest point). Rim diameter: c. 3.3" / 8.5 cm. Base diameter: c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.1 kg / 1,060 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.