Berndt Friberg Miniature Oxblood Vase

Berndt Friberg's ceramics for Gustavsberg are some of the finest examples of wheel-thrown pottery of the 20th century. His stunning portfolio of work is characterised by intricate glazes, exquisite forms, and an unsurpassed level of skill & craftpersonship. 

Friberg introduced miniature vases during the late 1950's as a way for his celebrated work to be more accessible to the Swedish public. This example was handmade by Friberg in the 1960's, and features a complex degradé 'Oxblood' glaze.

The technically difficult glaze, like much of Friberg's work, takes inspiration from Chinese ceramics; Oxblood, or 'Sang de Boeuf' glazes were first used in the early 1700's during the late Kangxi period. Their rich colour and varied, unpredictable nature is much admired by western ceramicists, who have been experimentally reproducing the glaze since the 19th century. 

Friberg's exquisite rendition of 'Sang de Boeuf' is delightfully dappled & freckled, and contains colourful flecks of green & pale turquoise that work harmoniously with the deep red hue. The textural glaze of this piece features a delicate degradé effect, where the deep red colour fades into light grey towards the vase's shoulder.