10 ceramic pieces from the Argenta collection by Gustavsberg, Art Deco period (c. 1940)

These earthenware pieces feature a decoration of berries in very light silver relief (which gave its name to the collection) that stands out against a speckled green background. They were designed by wilhelm koge (1889-1960), gustavsberg's master ceramicist. Each piece bears the gold punch "gustavsberg argenta" on the reverse, as well as the number of the coin and, for some, the words "made in sweden". The set includes: 1 cigarette holder; h. 6.5 cm; l. 7.7 cm. 2 cups h. 6 cm; d. 5.5 cm. 3 saucers; h. 2 cm; d. 6.3 cm. 4 cups; h. 1 cm; d. 9 cm. Very good condition. Normal wear for a room of this age. The silver parts have sometimes blackened under the effect of silver oxidation. Cleaning with mirror will give them their shine (see photographs of the cups in particular). History: gustavsberg's porcelain factory has been sweden's largest ceramic manufacturer for many decades and has housed some of the most innovative and ingenious manufacturers of the last century. Founded in 1825, it mass-produced a wide range of products: first decorative household items and english-style crockery, then bathroom accessories. But what interests collectors above all are the remarkable decorative works created in gustavsberg's art pottery workshop, in particular those of master ceramicists wilhelm koge, berndt friberg and stig lindberg. Wilhelm koge, an artist and potter who studied under the direction of henri matisse, joined the factory in 1917. He became its artistic director and gave the company a new direction. He is known for his unique sandstone and porcelain pieces, his drawings for crockery and his farsta and farstarust enamels - copper and iron oxide respectively. He remained with gustavsberg until 1949, when stig lindberg succeeded him.

Ref. : K18ZDXV1