Anna-Lisa Thomson Ceramic Table Lamp, Upsala-Ekeby, Swedish Modern, 1940s

This elegant table lamp was designed by the Swedish painter and ceramicist Anna-Lisa Thomson. The base was produced by the ceramic and porcelain manufacturer Upsala-Ekeby in the late 1940s. The lamp is stamped with 'Ekeby' and the designers initials 'A.L.T' on the bottom of the base. The beautiful base is executed in an ivory/off-white glazed earthenware with a refined, carved decor on the lower half throughout. The tapered, slightly cone shaped shade has been renewed in a vermillion colored fabric which offers a nice contrast with the light color of the ceramic base.

The lamp is in very good original condition, with renewed wiring and a new shade. There is one tiny loss of glaze on the rim of the base, not disturbing or distracting. The lamp is currently wired with a 220V European plug and a regular E26/E27 fitting.

Upsala Ekeby was, next to Gustavsberg and Rörstrand, one of the three major porcelain factories in Sweden. The factory was founded in 1886. The clay layers in Ekeby were very suitable for the production of tiles, many of these still adorn the walls of a number of Stockholm metro stations, later vases and bowls were produced designed by numerous artists as from the 1920's. Production run until 1978 when the production finally discontinued. Upsala Ekeby ceramics won international awards, amongst Paris 1937 and New York 1939.