Nils Fougstedt dish

This is a rare dish in brass and pewter designed by the Swedish sculptor and designer Nils Fougstedt in 1928, and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Stockholm. The dish represents the early period of Svenskt Tenn, when founder Estrid Ericson collaborated with artists and designers to create decorative objects combining traditional craftsmanship with modern artistic expression.

The dish is circular in form with a diameter of 13.5 cm (5.3 inches) and a height of 1.5 cm (0.6 inches). The surface is executed in pewter with an applied brass rim, giving it both contrast and a refined frame. The central decoration is engraved and depicts a stylized rider with sword and shield on horseback, passing a windmill under the sun with a bird in flight. The design is emblematic of Fougstedt’s work, merging narrative motifs with a simplified, linear style rooted in Nordic classicism and modernist tendencies.

The condition is good with visible patina, surface scratches, and signs of age, consistent with its nearly century-long history. The metal has developed a natural tonality, enhancing the engraved decoration with depth and texture. The underside is stamped with Svenskt Tenn’s early hallmark, verifying authenticity and dating.

Nils Fougstedt (1888–1954) was a Swedish sculptor and designer active in the decorative arts. He collaborated with Svenskt Tenn in the late 1920s, a formative period for the company before the arrival of Josef Frank, when the emphasis was on pewter and metalwork. Svenskt Tenn, founded in 1924, is renowned for its contributions to Swedish modern design and continues to be an influential design house. Pieces from this early era are particularly rare and historically significant, representing the artistic ambitions of the firm’s first years.