Argenta Silver-Decorated Footed Bowl – Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, 1949

Footed stoneware bowl from Wilhelm Kåge’s celebrated Argenta series, finished in a mottled emerald-green glaze with applied silver decoration depicting a seated female figure surrounded by delicate botanical motifs. The fluted exterior is divided by silver crosshatched panels, while the gently undulating rim and broad foot give the bowl a distinctly Swedish Art Deco character.

• Dimensions: Height 10 cm (3.94 in), diameter 22 cm (8.66 in)
  
• Material: Glazed stoneware with applied silver decoration
  
• Brand: Gustavsberg
  
• Designer: Wilhelm Kåge
  
• Series: Argenta
  
• Model: 927 I
  
• Color: Emerald green and silver
  
• Condition: Very good vintage condition with light signs of age and use
  
• Era: 1949
  
• Origin: Sweden
  

The bowl works particularly well displayed empty on a coffee table, console or low sideboard, where its detailed interior remains visible. Its rich green glaze complements warm woods, brass, travertine and neutral textiles, making it a strong addition to Art Deco, Swedish Grace and collected contemporary interiors.

Wilhelm Kåge developed Argenta during the late 1920s, and the series was introduced internationally at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930. Its characteristic green glaze and silver decoration became one of Gustavsberg’s most recognisable combinations; the silver paste was applied by hand, fired onto the glaze and then engraved to bring out the finer details.

Wilhelm Kåge (1889–1960) was a Swedish artist, ceramic designer and one of the central figures in twentieth-century Scandinavian design. He served as artistic director of Gustavsberg from 1917 until 1949, developing both functional tableware and important art-pottery collections before being succeeded by Stig Lindberg.

Founded in 1825, Gustavsberg became one of Sweden’s leading ceramic manufacturers and played an important role in bringing artist-led design into industrial production. Its collaborations with designers including Wilhelm Kåge, Stig Lindberg and Karin Björquist helped establish the international reputation of Swedish ceramics.