Berndt Friberg vase

This elegant vase was designed by Berndt Friberg and produced by Gustavsberg in 1965. Executed in stoneware and finished with one of Friberg’s most celebrated hare’s fur glazes, the vase displays a rich cobalt blue coloration with subtle tonal variations ranging from deep midnight blue to lighter sapphire hues. The glaze reveals the characteristic fine vertical streaking associated with the hare’s fur technique, creating a remarkable sense of depth and movement across the surface. The restrained palette and flawless finish exemplify the extraordinary level of craftsmanship achieved in Friberg’s studio production during the post-war period.

The form is a refined interpretation of Friberg’s iconic bottle-shaped silhouettes. Rising from a small circular foot, the body swells gently into a full ovoid volume before tapering into an elongated neck that flares subtly at the rim. The proportions are exceptionally balanced, creating a harmonious transition between the rounded body and slender neck. Every contour has been carefully considered, resulting in a vessel that appears both sculptural and effortless. The narrow opening further emphasizes the elegant verticality of the design while allowing the glaze to concentrate in darker tones around the rim and shoulder.

Berndt Friberg (1899–1981) is regarded as one of the foremost ceramic artists of twentieth-century Scandinavia. After joining Gustavsberg in the 1930s, he developed a highly personal body of work distinguished by masterfully thrown forms and technically sophisticated glazes. Working largely by hand in small quantities, Friberg refined each shape over decades, producing vessels of remarkable precision and balance. His work gained international acclaim and remains highly sought after by collectors, museums, and connoisseurs of Scandinavian studio ceramics.

The hare’s fur glaze seen on this example represents one of Friberg’s most admired achievements. Developed through extensive experimentation, the glaze produces delicate crystalline streaks that flow vertically across the surface, creating a soft, almost textile-like appearance. In this vivid cobalt blue variation, the effect is particularly striking, with subtle shifts in tone accentuating the vase’s curves and emphasizing the purity of the form.

The underside bears Friberg’s incised signature together with the Gustavsberg studio mark and date notation, confirming its production in 1965. The vase remains in good vintage condition with only minor signs of age and handling. The glaze retains excellent depth and luminosity, and the form remains free from visible damage, preserving the sculptural integrity and exceptional craftsmanship for which Berndt Friberg is renowned.

9.5 cm diameter (3.7 in), 28.5 cm height (11.2 in).