Carl-Harry Stålhane vase

This wheel-thrown stoneware vase embodies the refined formal sensibility of Carl-Harry Stålhane’s studio work for Rörstrand in the 1950s. Its slender, vertically oriented body begins with a narrow circular base, swelling gently into a broad midsection before tapering gracefully into a trumpet-shaped neck. The balanced silhouette and smooth transitions between curves reflect Stålhane’s mastery of potter’s wheel technique and his commitment to harmonious proportion.

The surface is clad in a semi-matte glaze of muted brown, overlaid with subtle mottling in soft grey and warm beige. This nuanced coloration is achieved through careful layering of glaze, creating a softly textured visual field that catches light differently across the form’s undulating contours. At the rim, the glaze thins to reveal faint striations of the underlying ceramic body, accentuating the lip’s crisp edge and lending the piece a quietly luminous accent.

Carl-Harry Stålhane (1920–1990) played a pivotal role in Swedish postwar ceramics, first joining Rörstrand in the 1930s as a decorator and eventually rising to artistic director. His mid-century works are celebrated for their elegant, pared-down forms and restrained glaze palettes—qualities informed by his admiration for Japanese ceramics and Scandinavian design’s emphasis on functional beauty. This vase exemplifies his approach, marrying sculptural presence with subtle surface sophistication.

Rörstrand, established in 1726, holds a storied place in Sweden’s ceramic heritage. By the 1950s, under the artistic leadership of figures such as Gunnar Nylund and Carl-Harry Stålhane, the factory had refined production techniques that allowed for both artistic experimentation and consistent quality. Studio pieces like this vase were often produced in limited quantities, each bearing marks of individual craftsmanship alongside the factory’s hallmark.

This example is in excellent vintage condition, with no cracks, chips, or signs of restoration. The glaze remains clean and intact, its soft mottling undisturbed by wear. The base is signed with Stålhane’s monogram and the Rörstrand factory mark, accompanied by a series code. Its dimensions are 9.5 cm in diameter and 36 cm in height (approximately 3.7 inches by 14.2 inches).