Wilhelm Kåge vase

This sculptural ceramic vase, model “Surrea” was designed by Wilhelm Kåge and produced by Gustavsberg in Sweden during the 1940s. The vase presents an asymmetrical and biomorphic form composed of two merged vertical volumes that gently flare at the base and taper upward. The contours are smooth and continuous, punctuated only by a central indentation that creates a subtle spine-like articulation along one side. The top features two discrete, asymmetrically positioned openings, further emphasizing the duality and surreal character of the design.

The surface is uniformly glazed in a white finish that accentuates the purity of the form and emphasizes the play of light and shadow along its curves. There are minor signs of age and wear consistent with good vintage condition, including light discoloration visible inside the openings, but the exterior surface remains unmarred by cracks or restoration.

Wilhelm Kåge (1889–1960) was one of the foremost Swedish ceramic artists of the 20th century. He served as the artistic director of the Gustavsberg porcelain factory from 1917 to 1949, during which time he introduced a wide range of utilitarian and artistic designs. Kåge is known for pushing the boundaries of traditional ceramic form and surface, and his work often engaged with broader currents in modern art, including Expressionism, Functionalism, and Surrealism. The “Surrea” series is among his most experimental output and reflects his interest in biomorphic abstraction and non-traditional sculptural vessels.

Gustavsberg was one of Sweden’s most important ceramics producers, established in the early 19th century and flourishing throughout the 20th under the direction of figures such as Kåge and Stig Lindberg. In the 1940s, the company supported an increasing number of limited-edition artist-designed works that explored new formal languages, often diverging from the factory’s mass-produced lines.

The aesthetic of this vase aligns with the early Scandinavian modernist movement but leans toward the surreal and expressive, rather than purely functional. The fluid form and dual opening reflect an interest in biomorphic forms and psychological symbolism, trends that resonated with European avant-garde movements during the interwar and postwar periods.

The dimensions of the vase are 21 cm deep, 20 cm wide, and 45 cm high, which corresponds to approximately 8.3 inches deep, 7.9 inches wide, and 17.7 inches high.