Lisa Larson Flower Shaped Candleholder

A rare flower shaped ceramic candleholder in bright-coral-red glaze designed and made by Lisa Larson at Gustavsberg, Sweden, circa 1967.

Designed to accommodate both pillar candles and tealights, this candleholder was handmade in the Gustavsberg Studio out of a solid lump of chamotte clay.

Larson strongly favoured using chamotte, finely crushed fired clay that you can reintroduce to wet clay. Gustavsberg’s chamotte was developed in its own laboratory according to Larson’s wishes. Chamotte clay is what gives Larson’s objects their grainy and rustic look which is a characteristic of her design.

For many, the raw, almost concrete like, appearance of chamotte clay is indicative of design in the second half of the 20th century with an interest in the environment and green issues. This rationale could be applied to Larson’s work who did much for charities, including the World Wildlife Fund and UN's Children's Fund. 

In a similar vein, the six-petalled flower might also speak of Larson’s outlook. Also known as a hexafoil, the six-petalled flower has been very widely used in European folk art over most of the continent for a very long time. In many countries it has been used as a protective symbol.