Small Vintage mid century 70s handmade ceramic candle holder by designer MARI SIMMULSON for UPSALA-EKEBY Sweden.
Upsala-Ekeby AB was a porcelain, tile, brick, and glass company founded in 1886 in Uppsala, Sweden. From 1910 to 1945, Upsala-Ekeby produced tiled cocklestoves in Ekeby. In 1910, Upsala-Ekeby hired designers for their production of household and art ceramics. Among the first was Anna-Lisa Thomson and Sven Erik Skawonius.
Mari Simmulson (1911-2000) was born to Estonian parents in St Petersburg, Russia. At the start of the Russian revolution in 1917, the family moved back to Estonia. During the 1930s, Mari studied at the State Art School in Tallinn. After her formal education, Mari further developed her skills at the nearby Arabia porcelain factory in Helsinki. n 1945, Mari Simmulson began working at Gustavsbergs Porcelain Factory. There, she was fortunate to work alongside the factory’s legendary leader, Wilhelm Kage. Mari’s creative output ranged from unique sculptures to small animal figurines.
Mari left Gustavsberg in 1949, taking a position at Upsala-Ekeby. Together with Hjordis Oldfors and Ingrid Atterberg, she completed a trio of influential female designers who set the tone for the company in the fifties. Mari would remain at the factory until 1972, designing a variety of dishware, vases, wall plates, bowls, and figurines. She often opted for bold, colorful decor, offering a clear contrast to dark, unadorned pottery.
- Height – 7 cm
- Diameter – 8,5 cm
- Material – ceramic
- Studio pottery
- Signed by an author – initials MS.
- Made in Sweden
- Vintage era – 70s
- Designer – MARI SIMMULSON
- Manufacturer – UPSALA-EKEBY
- Condition – great / scratches on the surface / see images
