Few Swedish artists embody the epithet "beloved" better than the ceramist Lisa Larson. Her figures and sculptures in stoneware, produced at Gustavsberg, can be found in nearly every Swedish home, and collectors, both Swedish and international, compete for her works at auctions. Lisa Larson has become a phenomenon in Swedish craftsmanship.
Stig Lindberg and Lisa Larson.
Lisa Larson - Sweden's most beloved ceramicist
Born in 1931 in Härlunda, Sweden, Lisa Larson studied at Slöjdföreningens skola in Gothenburg from 1950 until 1954. After her studies, she immediately began working at Gustavsberg porcelain factory located just outside Stockholm.
Lisa Larson's time at Gustavsberg 1954–1980
In 1954 [Lindberg, Stig], ceramicist and artist, was the artistic director at the Gustavsberg porcelain factory and hired Lisa Larson to work together with him. The first pieces designed by Larson that went into production were the Paloma series. The series was designed in 1955 and produced between 1955 and 1956 and consisted of a dove figurine and two ashtrays of different sizes.
Tame cats and wild lions - Lisa Larson's most beloved figurines
In 1955, Lisa Larson also designed the series Lilla Zoo, a series featuring animal figurines in brown stoneware clay, partially glazed. Lilla Zoo was first produced in 1956 and the production continued for more than 20 years. The series included three cat figurines, a fox, a horse, a dachshund and a bison.
The success of Lilla Zoo led Lisa Larson to continue on the theme of animals. The Stora Zoo series was designed in 1957 and went into production in 1958. It consisted of a giraffe, zebra, polar bear, hippopotamus, cat, and moose. As the name suggests (‘stora’ means ‘large’ in Swedish), these figurines were considerably larger than those in Lilla Zoo. The series was successful and had two follow-ups. In 1959, she designed a bulldog, donkey, and cow, and in 1965, a hippopotamus with birds, a kangaroo, and a large cat were designed. All these figures were part of the Stora Zoo series.
Lisa Larson's cats, with their playfulness and charm, have become some of her most loved and well-known creations. After the success of the first cats from Lilla Zoo, she continued to produce a range of cat figures over the decades. The cats have been made in many different sizes, shapes, and colours, reflecting Larson's deep understanding of the animals’ characters and her ability to bring clay to life in a way that captivates both children and adults.
Stora Zoo from 1957, the series featured larger figurines than the previous series, including animals such as a giraffe, a zebra and a hippopotamus.
Gnomes, people, and civic engagement
Lisa giving life to ABC-girl "Dora"
In 1958, Lisa Larson designed the series of figures that many people probably most associate with her, the ABC girls. The curvy reading girls Amalia, Beata, Charlotta, Dora and Emma are classics that were produced from 1958 to 1973. The ABC girls are frequently found at auctions although there are a few rare figurines with "chromolithographs” that were produced in smaller quantities. These figurines are highly sought after at auctions and often sell for high prices.
With the ABC girls, Lisa Larson's figurines took another direction by also depicting people, not just animals. In the following years, Larson designed several figures depicting people, often focusing on themes of family life, sisterhood and motherhood. Samhällsdebatten (Social Debate), designed by Larson in 1968, is a prominent example. The sculpture depicts a woman holding a man above her head. The sculpture was made in two different sizes, and the larger version is among her most expensive mass-produced sculptures.
The immensely popular Advent Children series began production in 1979 and is still being made. The series is known for its detailed and characteristic figures that have become part of the Swedish Christmas tradition. Lisa Larson's gnomes and Advent Children are among the most beloved of her works and they continue to delight both new and old collectors with their charm and personality.
Emma, Beata and Charlotta from the series "ABC girls"
Classic and sought-after figures with high value
The value and prices of Lisa Larson figurines on the secondary market vary depending on many factors, such as condition, year of manufacture, and rarity. Many of her earliest works and figures sold in limited editions tend to be the most valuable.
One of Lisa Larson's most sought-after figures is Pippi Longstocking, designed in 1967. It was only made between 1969 and 1971, as the production of it was considered too complicated. Often, Pippi's legs or plaits were damaged, and a flawless example is difficult to find today.
Finding a Pippi Longstocking figurine without any damages at today's auctions is uncommon due to the limited production and the fragility of the figurine. The original box alone is worth around 1-2000 £.
The Traffic series, designed in 1970 and in production only between 1971 and 1973, is also rare on the auction market. This series differs greatly from her other series as the figures are white-glazed and decorated with chromo prints.
In 1972, she designed another classic, the Sträng money bank, inspired by the then Swedish Finance Minister Gunnar Sträng. The money bank was manufactured from 1972-1984 and is perhaps one of the most commonly seen Lisa Larson figures.
During her 26 years at Gustavsberg, Lisa Larson designed hundreds of classic figures that collectors around the world have taken to their hearts. The last series she designed was the Endangered Animals series, sold to benefit WWF and differing from earlier series as these were made in numbered editions. The hedgehog, in particular, is highly sought after among collectors today.
Time after Gustavsberg
In 1980, Lisa Larson left Gustavsberg to work as a freelance designer. Among the many clients were Duka, Jie, Åhléns, Skruf's Glassworks, Rosenthal Studio, and Goebel Porcelain.
For Scandia Present in Karlshamn, she produced five bronze sculptures, Myran, Tummelisa, Tonåringen, Storseglaren and Meditation. All were released in a numbered edition and are highly sought after at auctions today.
Back to Gustavsberg
In 1992, Lisa Larson had the opportunity to take over the Gustavsberg Studio along with colleagues Franco Nicolosi and Siv Solin. The studio then also changed its name to Keramikstudion Gustavsberg. Lisa Larson served as the studio's artistic director and designer right up until her death. The production of her figures continues to this day according to the original methods of casting, glazing, and painting.
Lisa Larson passed away in 2024.