Berndt Friberg vase

This rare ceramic vase, designed by Berndt Friberg and produced by Gustavsberg in Sweden in 1954, exemplifies the refined precision and quiet elegance that define Friberg’s legacy within Scandinavian studio ceramics. Meticulously wheel-thrown and finished with his signature hare’s fur glaze, the piece reveals Friberg’s unparalleled sensitivity to both form and surface.

The vase features a slender, balanced profile—narrow at the base, gently swelling at the body, and tapering toward a delicately turned lip. This subtle, controlled form serves as an ideal canvas for the complex glaze, which exhibits a finely striated texture reminiscent of the soft, vertical lines found in the fur of a hare. The glaze transitions from a muted beige at the upper register into cooler tones of blue-gray near the base, resulting in a seamless gradient that responds to both light and shadow with atmospheric depth.

Friberg’s hare’s fur glaze is the result of highly controlled, high-temperature firing and a precise glaze formula that allowed for this layered effect, emphasizing both movement and restraint. The technique demands exceptional skill in timing and kiln control—hallmarks of Friberg’s craftsmanship.

Berndt Friberg (1899–1981), initially trained as a thrower, rose to prominence through his long collaboration with the Gustavsberg studio, where he worked under the guidance of Wilhelm Kåge and later developed his own distinctive voice. His pieces are noted for their minimal forms, technical rigor, and subtle yet deeply expressive glazes, often inspired by East Asian ceramic traditions interpreted through a Nordic lens.

This vase remains in excellent vintage condition, free of chips, cracks, or restoration. The glaze is fully intact, with a luminous surface and no visible flaws, while the form retains its original structural clarity. Signed on the base with Friberg’s mark and the Gustavsberg studio stamp, it stands as a highly collectible and museum-quality example of Swedish mid-century ceramics.