Berndt Friberg vase

This tall, slender stoneware vase was designed by Berndt Friberg and produced at the Gustavsberg studio in Sweden in 1962. The form is elegantly proportioned, with a full, ovoid lower body that gently tapers into a long, cylindrical neck, resulting in a silhouette that is both poised and sculptural. The vase demonstrates Friberg’s characteristic attention to balance and contour, with a subtly modulated profile that emphasizes verticality.

The surface is finished with a signature hare’s fur glaze, transitioning smoothly from deep earthy browns at the base through cool slate greys to a rich cobalt blue at the neck. This nuanced gradient is typical of Friberg’s glaze experimentation, which involved layering and firing techniques that allowed for complex tonal variations. The vertical striations and micro-texture in the glaze lend the surface a soft, organic quality, reflecting light in a way that highlights the contours of the vessel.

Berndt Friberg was one of Sweden’s most respected ceramic artists of the 20th century. Originally trained as a thrower, he was known for producing his own forms on the wheel with great precision and delicacy. His association with Gustavsberg, where he worked from the mid-1930s onward, placed him among other notable figures in Scandinavian ceramics such as Wilhelm Kåge and Stig Lindberg. Friberg developed a distinct language of forms and glaze finishes, favoring refined shapes and subdued, subtly layered glazes.

This piece is signed underneath with Friberg’s incised signature and the Gustavsberg studio mark, confirming its authenticity and date of production. It remains in excellent condition with no visible flaws, chips, or repairs, and exhibits a fine surface integrity consistent with careful preservation.

The vase measures 24 cm in height and has a diameter of 8 cm, corresponding to approximately 9.45 inches in height and 3.15 inches in diameter. It is a representative example of Friberg’s mature studio production and demonstrates the technical sophistication and aesthetic restraint characteristic of Swedish modern ceramic design.