Vase 'Spirea'

Designed by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsbergs Studio

Sweden, 1950s

The Spirea series by Wilhelm Kåge, created in the 1950s at the Gustavsberg studio in Sweden, stands as a high point in mid-century Scandinavian ceramics. Distinguished by their sculptural silhouettes and richly textured glazes, these works exemplify Kåge’s mature studio practice and his mastery of form and surface.

Wilhelm Kåge (1889–1960) played a foundational role in the evolution of modern Swedish design. Originally trained as a painter and graphic artist, he was appointed artistic director of the Gustavsberg porcelain factory in 1917, a position he held until 1949. Following his departure from the directorship, Kåge devoted himself fully to his work at Gustavsberg’s Farsta atelier, which he had founded in the early 1940s. There, he concentrated on unique, hand-thrown stoneware pieces, among them the Spirea series, marking a decisive shift from industrial design to the realm of individual, sculptural expression.

From Wilhelm Kåge’s private collection.