Upsala-Ekeby

Once upon a time in the beautiful Swedish countryside, near Eriksberg and Flogsta in Uppsala, there was a small village called Bondkyrko. Here, in this peaceful and idyllic corner of Sweden, a legendary business journey was born, destined to become a part of Swedish cultural heritage.

The journey began in 1886 when Ekeby Bruk, a brick and ceramics factory, was founded. With the support of prominent Uppsala families such as von Bahr, Ekstrand, and Holm, the company took its first tentative steps. Brick production started immediately, and shortly after, in 1887, ceramic and tile production was initiated. Despite the challenges of competition, Ekeby Bruk continued to evolve.

In 1911, the company was transformed into a joint-stock company with the name Upsala-Ekeby AB. Modernization of production began, and the company shifted its focus to decorative goods. In 1917, after the Home Exhibition at Liljevalchs and the Swedish Society of Crafts' call for "more beautiful everyday items," the company began hiring artists. Ewald Dahlskog, Edvin Ollers, Einar Nerman, and Einar Forseth were some of the first to leave their mark on the company's production.
Upsala-Ekeby thrived in all aspects, and the company quickly acquired well-known competitors such as S:t Eriks Lervarufabriker and Gefle Porslinsfabrik. The artistic production of decorative goods, both mass-produced and experimental unique pieces, expanded over the following decades. New modernist influences were introduced, including artists like Ingrid Atterberg, Mari Simmulson, Vicke Lindstrand, and Anna-Lisa Thomson, breaking new ground in color, form, and expression. During the 1960s, Upsala-Ekeby's ceramic production began to face increasingly challenging sales issues. The factory production was closed down in 1972 after an almost century-long journey, from brick to art ceramics. Upsala-Ekeby will always be a part of Swedish cultural heritage and had its heyday during an important and successful period in our 20th-century history.

We are delighted to present this delightful theme auction to honor Upsala-Ekeby. The theme includes samples from both mass-produced items and the more colorful and unique pieces that are rare to come by.

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