Swedish master ceramicist Anna-Lisa Thomson introduced a spirit to pottery in ways that had not yet been seen before her time. Best known for her "Paprika" series, Thomson brought an expert eye for simple beauty and quiet elegance to the glazed and unglazed surfaces of her tall, slender vases and other decorative objects.
Thomson’s love of experimentation with new techniques and materials — especially glazes — lent an unparalleled level of distinction to her works. She often drew her inspiration from bodies of water and the natural world, which is evident in the smooth flow of lines and aquatic luster present in many of her finished pieces.
Thomson was born in 1905 in Karlskrona, Sweden. She studied at the Technical School in Stockholm, completing her schooling in 1924. Shortly after completing her studies, Thomson joined St. Eriks Lervarufabriker in Upsala, and became their artistic director within two years. To this day, she remains the most prominent creator associated with the company's name.
In the 1930s, Thomson joined Upsala Ekeby, where, alongside preeminent ceramic designers Sven Erik Skawonius and Vicke Lindstrand, she changed the course of the company's ceramics division. During her time with Upsala Ekeby, Thomson adopted an ancient Grecian style, adding classic images of doves to her vases and urns in homage to the goddess Athena. She also worked at Gefle Porslinsfabrik.
Thomson spent the last years of her life at her cottage in Grundsund on Sweden's west coast, where she turned her artistic attention to abstract painting. Many of her paintings grace the pages of the poetry book Eko av dagars ljusa klang (Echo of Day Bright Sound), which was published in 1953.
On 1stDibs, find Anna-Lisa Thomson ceramic vases, lighting and serveware.
$760
H 14.57 in Dm 5.52 in
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby. Ceramic "Paprika" vase. Brown and light glaze.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, Paprika vase. Elegant stoneware vase with characteristic relief decoration inspired by paprika-shaped leaves, executed in contrasting earthy and l...
Ceramic
Ceramic Floor Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby, 1950s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This large ceramic floor vase, model “Paprika,” designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden during the 1950s, is a stunning example of mid-century Scandinavi...
Ceramic
$2,864
H 20.08 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Anna-Lisa Thomson Floor Vase Model Paprika Produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden
By Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large ceramic floor vase model Paprika designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson. Produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden.
Ceramic
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala-Ekeby. "Adria" stoneware vase, 1960s.
Located in København, Copenhagen
ANNA-LISA THOMSON for Upsala-Ekeby. "Adria" stoneware Vase, 1960s. Teardrop-shaped vase in stoneware with glossy turquoise glaze and decorative vertical strokes in brownish tones. ...
Stoneware
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.5 in Dm 6 in
Tall MCM Swedish "Paprika" Floor Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern Swedish floor vase from the Paprika series by ceramist and painter, Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby, circa 1950s. The vase is in very good vintage condition with no cracks or chips and measures 6" D x 14.5" H. It is signed on the underside. Thomson is perhaps best known for her Paprika (Peppers) series, which she designed in 1948 and it is Paprika that would go on to become the best-selling series in Upsala-Ekeby’s history. The series is characterised with slender, seemingly austere vases with a decor of glazed white or green, lance-shaped leaves. The combination of the leaves and the unglazed elements hit a striking contrast. The Paprika vases...
Pottery
Ceramic Vase with Ochre and Brown Glaze, Wallåkra, Sweden, 1960s
By Wallåkra
Located in New York, NY
Glazed ceramic vase from Walla°kra, founded in 1864. Inscribed.
Ceramic
Brown Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition. Incised signature "G.N." and Rörstrands three crowns. Gun...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$3,007
H 22.84 in Dm 9.85 in
Midcentury Earthenware Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Uppsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking earthenware floor vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, glazed semi-translucent white. Decorative embossed graphic pattern. The artist Anna-Lisa Thomson is best known for her stonewar...
Earthenware
$3,379
H 7.09 in W 3.55 in D 1.58 in
Decorative Swedish Mid Century White Brown Stoneware Vase by Hans Hedberg 1950s
By Hans Hedberg, Biot
Located in Stockholm, SE
A white sculptural and decorative Swedish mid century stoneware ceramic vase in white and brown spreckled glaze by Hans Hedberg and produced by Biot in France, 1950s. In good origin...
Stoneware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Ceramic, Upsala-Ekeby Sweden 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in High Point, NC
This vase, designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson in 1940s Sweden for Upsala-Ekeby, is made glazed beige ceramic. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5" Height x 6.5" Diameter All items ship from ...
Ceramic
Alvino Bagni Ceramic Vase for Raymor, Earth Tones, Gourd Form, 1970s
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in New York, NY
Alvino Bagni Ceramic Vase for Raymor, Earth Tones, Gourd Form, 1970s. Chunky medium scale organic gourd form vase with a pinched neck, sloped shoulders, and footed base. Signed on th...
Ceramic
Bitossi Vase, Ceramic, Incised, Brown, White, Beaded, Signed
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi vase, ceramic, incised, brown and white, beaded signed. Small scale cylinder vase in raw chocolate brown clay, decorated with a pattern of incised white glazed ovals, giving ...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Claude Conover, Signed 1968
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Claude Conover vase, "Toluca", ceramic, signed. Large hand built incised stoneware vase, glazed in subtle two tone and finely decorated with Conover's signature hatching and scratchi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bruno Gambone Hand-Crafted Ceramic Vase, Abstract Design, Italy, 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone Hand-Crafted Ceramic Vase, Abstract Design, Italy, 1970s. Tall stoneware vessel by Bruno Gambone, produced in the 1970s. The form was originally produced as a lamp base...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Claude Conover, Hand-Crafted, USA, 1970s
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Claude Conover, Hand-Crafted, USA, 1970s. Large hand built stoneware vase decorating with hatching and scratching patterns. An incised line divides...
Ceramic, Pottery
Bitossi Mid-Century Modern Vase, Ceramic, White and Brown, Italy, 1966
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi vase, ceramic, white and brown, signed. Medium scale cylinder vase with white glaze and raw matte brown clay collar. Signed on the underside: "403C Italy". Minute scuff to th...
Ceramic
