Stig Lindberg: The Master of Joyful Ceramics
Few designers in Sweden have created as wide a range of objects as Stig Lindberg. With an oeuvre spanning ceramics, textiles, playing cards, art, and crockery, his designs have likely touched the lives of many Swedes at some point.
Stig Lindberg och Wilhelm Kåge, 1945.
Stig Lindberg was born in 1916 in Umeå, Sweden. During difficult times in Sweden, his family could not afford to finance his education, and he was uncertain about his future career. Known affectionately in his early years as "Stickan", Lindberg displayed a keen interest in drawing. For his ageing father, only two career paths seemed suitable for young Stig: drawing teacher or music director at the Västerbotten regiment. However, even at a young age, Stig Lindberg had already heard about the Gustavsberg porcelain factory outside Stockholm, inspired by tales from the artist Helmer Osslund, who had worked there at the turn of the century.
In 1935, Stig Lindberg moved to Stockholm to attend what is now known as Konstfack, Sweden's largest university of arts, crafts and design. Having been introduced to ceramics there, he remembered Osslund's stories about Gustavsberg and approached the factory in hopes of securing a summer internship to deepen his knowledge of ceramics, with plans to move to Vienna in the autumn. Upon meeting Hjalmar Olson, the legendary factory manager, he boldly declared:
– If you employ me, I'll ensure there are jobs for the factory!
Impressed by his confidence and talent, Olson introduced him to Wilhelm Kåge, Gustavsberg's artistic director. Recognising his extraordinary abilities, they offered him a position with the promise of further training, both at Gustavsberg and abroad.
Faience Painted in Spring
1942 marked a significant year for Stig Lindberg with the exhibition ""Fajanser målade i vår"" (Faience Painted in Spring) at Gustavsberg's shop on Birger Jarlsgatan in Stockholm, which brought him recognition from a broader audience. The exhibition showcased faience objects featuring hand-painted motifs in vibrant colours, a stark contrast to the situation in Europe with an ongoing world war. This exhibition proved to be a tremendous success, and Lindberg's earthenware enjoyed many years of strong sales.
Dish in faience, Gustavsberg, signed "Stig L.", clubbed on Garpenhus Auktioner for 2 076 GBP.
Stig Lindberg developed the patterns for the decorations, which were then painted by Gustavsberg's skilled faience painters, each adding their unique signature. Today, many collectors seek out objects from specific painters, and those personally painted by Lindberg, signed ""Stig L"", are particularly prized for their often unique and imaginative motifs.
Lithographic print, "Cinderella", by Stig Lindberg.
The success of ""Fajanser målade i vår"" led to the establishment of Gustavsberg Studio. In the 1930s, rationalisation measures had forced out many meticulous craftsmen. To address this, Lindberg and Kåge conceived of an artistic studio to retain these craftsmen, providing artists greater scope for experimentation. The studio became a hub of creative collaboration.
Stig Lindberg & the Berså tableware
After his success with earthenware, Lindberg turned to stoneware, creating robust forms with glazes in browns, blues, and reds, and playful sculptures in chamotte, as well as the ""Figurin"" series in white parian ware.
One of his most popular and enduring designs is the Berså tableware set, launched in 1960 with elegant shapes and a pattern of green leaves against a white backdrop. This tableware remains highly popular and is frequently seen at auctions. Unfortunately, the older pieces are not dishwasher safe, although newer models are.
Stig Lindbergs classic tableware set "Berså" for Gustavsberg.
Stig Lindberg's legacy in classic tableware is extensive, with designs like "Spisa Ribb", "Birka", "Ranka", "Prunus", "Adam", "Pynta", "Tahiti", "Coq", and more enjoyed by several generations.
Beyond ceramics, Lindberg also designed plastic items, playing cards, textiles, and illustrated children’s books. He was a talented painter, with his ceramics often featuring recognisable figures from his paintings.
Undoubtedly one of Sweden's most beloved ceramic artists, Stig Lindberg's work has a broad following, including significant popularity in the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
Stig Lindberg passed away in 1982 in Terracina, Italy.