Art Deco Green Lidded Vase by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, 1956

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This rare and highly decorative lidded vase is a striking example of mid-century Scandinavian ceramic artistry, designed by Wilhelm Kåge … Read more This rare and highly decorative lidded vase is a striking example of mid-century Scandinavian ceramic artistry, designed by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg and dated 1956. Executed in the celebrated Argenta technique, the vase features a rich, mottled green glaze that serves as a luminous backdrop for finely detailed decoration distinctly unusual in that it departs from the traditional silver inlay motifs typically associated with Argenta ware. The form is both sculptural and refined: a softly rounded body with elegant proportions, flanked by small loop handles and topped with a fitted lid crowned by a spherical finial. Instead of the classic silver-inlaid designs, this unique piece is adorned with hand-rendered illustrations, including a stylized deer grazing beside a tree on one side, and a botanical motif with vivid red accents on the reverse. This rare decorative approach gives the vase a more painterly and individual character, setting it apart from standard Argenta production and suggesting a special or experimental piece. The combination of naturalistic imagery and stylized linework reflects the enduring influence of Art Deco aesthetics, reinterpreted through a distinctly Nordic lens.

The piece is marked “GUSTAVSBERG – 1956,” Pieces of this kind, especially lidded forms with such unique, non-traditional decoration are exceptionally scarce. About Argenta Argenta is one of the most iconic ceramic lines produced by Gustavsberg. Introduced in the 1930s under the artistic direction of Wilhelm Kåge, Argenta wares are typically distinguished by their deep green glaze and intricate silver inlays. The classic technique involves carving or incising designs into the surface of the clay, which are then filled with silver paste before firing. However, this vase represents a notable deviation from that tradition, replacing the expected silver ornamentation with hand-painted imagery-making it a rare and distinctive variation within the Argenta series. See less