Stig Lindberg Stoneware Conical Vase- Domino Series, Black/White, Gustavsberg, 1954

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Description

Modernist Rhythm: Stig Lindberg Domino Series Conical Vase

Object: Conical Vase, Domino Series
Designer: Stig Lindberg
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg
Origin: Sweden
… Read more Modernist Rhythm: Stig Lindberg Domino Series Conical Vase

Object: Conical Vase, Domino Series
Designer: Stig Lindberg
Manufacturer: Gustavsberg
Origin: Sweden
Date: 1954
Medium: Stoneware, Black Glossy Glaze, Linear Relief Pattern
Dimensions: 9 1/4 inches high x 3 1/2 inches diameter at the base.

This striking black and white conical stoneware vase is a quintessential piece of mid-$20^{th}$-century Swedish design, defined by its bold geometric pattern and minimalist form. It was created by the legendary designer Stig Lindberg (1916–1982) as part of his celebrated Domino Series for the Gustavsberg factory.

Design and Visual Analysis

The vase exhibits the characteristics of the Domino series: a simple, elegant conical silhouette and a distinctive decoration. The black, glossy glaze is contrasted by thin white linear relief patterns that spiral from the base to the narrow rim. This combination of a strict geometric form with a dynamic optical pattern perfectly captures the spirit of Abstract Modernism as it was applied to decorative arts in the $1950$s. The design emphasizes texture, movement, and graphic contrast over traditional ornamentation.

Historical Context: The H55 Exhibition

The Domino Series was first introduced at the prestigious H55 exhibition (Helsingborg, $955), where Lindberg made his international debut. This exhibition was a seminal moment in Scandinavian design history, showcasing functional, aesthetically pleasing items accessible to a broad audience—the foundation of the philosophy known as Swedish Modern.

Lindberg, who was the artistic director at Gustavsberg, was a driving force behind this movement, renowned for his versatility in creating everything from whimsical tableware to architectural stoneware. The Domino line, with its severe black and white palette, stood out as an expression of functional clarity and modern graphic sophistication, establishing Lindberg as a leading voice in postwar European ceramics.

Marks: Stamped Gustavsberg, Domino, Stig L (Stig Lindberg).

Reference: The Domino Series is widely collected and featured in major design museums and publications on Scandinavian Modern design.

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