Anna-Lisa Thomson 282 Vase, Sweden 1942

A simple, almost ancient white form is given a dose of drama by two wonderful serpentine handles in deep green glaze. This is an iconic vase, and a great example of her early-1940s work - a bit deco yet restrained, with just enough weird to make it special. I love all the drips around the opening, and the way the matte glaze settles towards the base is just fantastic. Two small chips on the underside of the base, otherwise perfect.

6" H x 5" W

One of the most important voices in Swedish ceramics during the mid-20th century, Anna-Lisa Thomson was trained at Stockholm's University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, and joined the renowned ceramics manufacturer Upsala-Ekeby in 1933 where she spent nearly two decades developing a distinctly modern design language. Her work is celebrated for its restrained forms, organic motifs, and subtle references to the natural world. She was also an illustrator, painter, and her surrealistic drawings are incredible works of Mid-Century Modernism. Unfortunately she died at the age of 47, leaving a legacy of work that has become highly collectible in today's secondary design market.