Carl-Einar Borgström vase

This rare mid-century vase was designed by Carl-Einar Borgström and produced by Ystad Metall in Sweden during the 1950s. Crafted from solid brass, the vase takes the form of a hollow sphere supported by three cylindrical legs, creating a raised and stable structure. The geometric body is bisected horizontally at its midpoint, with a slightly recessed opening at the top. A distinctive decorative brass element shaped like a stylized lizard or salamander is mounted on the upper hemisphere, introducing a biomorphic and ornamental contrast to the otherwise strict modernist form.

The brass surface has developed a mottled patina with visible oxidation and darkening, consistent with natural aging. Wear is evenly distributed, especially around the opening and the decorative motif, indicating careful use over time.

Carl-Einar Borgström was a Swedish designer and sculptor recognized for his mid-20th-century metalwork. Associated with Ystad Metall, one of Sweden’s leading metal manufacturers of the era, Borgström’s work combined sculptural artistry with functional design, embodying the Scandinavian modernist ideal of beauty in utility.

Ystad Metall, active from the early 20th century until 1969, was known for collaborating with prominent Swedish designers and maintaining high production standards. The company significantly influenced Swedish decorative arts with its output of candlesticks, vases, and other metal objects that exemplified mid-century Scandinavian aesthetics.

This vase illustrates the blend of sculptural abstraction and organic detail typical of 1950s Scandinavian design. Its spherical form and minimal ornamentation allow the lizard motif to serve as both a focal point and a playful counterbalance to the vase’s geometric purity.

The vase measures 14 centimeters in diameter and 16 centimeters in height (approximately 5.5 by 6.3 inches).