Edvin Ollers jar

This lidded pewter jar was designed by Edvin Ollers and produced in Sweden in 1927. The jar has a compact cylindrical form topped by a gently flared lid featuring a raised central knob. Its surface is decorated with hand-engraved motifs consisting of repeated scalloped arcs along the lower body and radiating incised lines on the lid. These understated embellishments exemplify Ollers’ restrained decorative style, emphasizing rhythmic repetition and symmetry while maintaining the clarity and simplicity of the overall form.

The pewter surface has developed a soft matte patina over time, showing minor oxidation and wear consistent with its age and use. The base carries several stamped hallmarks, including the Swedish triple crown mark and the date letter “A8” which corresponds to the year 1927, confirming the jar’s authenticity and provenance.

Edvin Ollers (1888–1959) was a Swedish designer, artist, and educator active in the applied arts during the early 20th century. He worked across various materials such as glass, ceramics, and metal, often collaborating with Swedish workshops. His metalwork reflects the ideals of Nordic Classicism and early modernism, focusing on craftsmanship, balanced proportions, and functional integrity. This jar exemplifies the stylistic transition of the late 1920s, when the decorative richness of Art Nouveau and National Romanticism began to give way to the cleaner, more balanced forms characteristic of the Swedish Grace movement and the later Scandinavian modernist aesthetic.

The jar measures 10.5 cm in height and 10 cm in diameter (approximately 4.1 by 3.9 inches). It is in good vintage condition, showing visible surface wear, light scratches, and patination appropriate for an object of its age.