Tile - Stig Carlsson (1932–2008) - 1970-1980 - Crocodile tile

STIG CARLSSON, SWEDEN | Wall tile “Crocodile” FOR Ifö, ca. 1970–75

Charming and highly decorative ceramic wall tile by the Swedish artist and designer Stig Carlsson (1932–2008) for Ifö, Bromölla, created probably in the early 1970s as a unique piece. Size 15 x 15 x 2 cm. Slight chippings on the back.

The square tile presents a strongly stylized crocodile in a characteristically reduced, nearly drawing-like representation. On the light, whitish-glazed base, the animal is outlined with bold black contour lines; individual body parts are accentuated with loosely placed ochre- to sand-colored rectangles. The wide-open mouth with small teeth, the large round eye, and the deliberately simplified silhouette give the motif a distinctly humorous yet graphically striking character.

It is precisely this combination of naive drawing, clear spatial division, and Scandinavian modernity that makes the piece so appealing. The tile works equally well as a ceramic object, a small wall sculpture, and a graphic work, and wonderfully embodies the experimental Swedish form language of the 1960s and 1970s.

The surface exhibits the charming irregularities of glaze typical for handmade or small-series ceramic production. On the back there is the Ifö designation as well as another handwritten designation or signature.

A wonderfully independent piece of Swedish mid-century and Space Age design, which can be presented both as a small art object on its own and within a collection of Scandinavian studio ceramics.
Background

Stig Carlsson (1932–2008) was a Swedish ceramicist and artist who was closely connected with the important Swedish ceramic center Ifö in Bromölla. In the development workshop of the Iföverken, alongside Carlsson, renowned designers such as Gunnar Nylund and Ulla Viotti worked. The workshop offered artists the opportunity to realize ceramic individual pieces, reliefs, and larger experimental works using the industrial kilns.

Even auction houses present Carlsson’s ceramic wall works from Bromölla: Bukowskis documents, for example, a signed wall sculpture by Carlsson from the 1960s and explicitly notes that the artist could use the large ceramic kilns of the Ifö works for his pieces.

Ifö was one of the important centers of the Swedish ceramic industry in the 20th century. Especially in the 1960s and 1970s, many designs emerged there in collaboration with artists and designers, where industrial production and the experimental aesthetics of Scandinavian modernism were combined.
Condition

Very good condition for its age. Minor manufacturing and age-related irregularities or minimal signs of use, as visible in the photographs. No impairment of its strong decorative effect.

Design: Stig Carlsson
Manufacturer: Ifö, Bromölla, Sweden
Motif: Crocodile
Dating: ca. 1970–75
Material: glazed ceramic
Style: Scandinavian Modern / Mid-Century Modern / 1970s design
Back: marked “Ifö” and additional handwritten designation

An unusual and distinctly charming collectible of Swedish ceramic design with high graphic and decorative quality.