TERNELL SGRAFFITO POTTERY

$65.00

This piece is just plain fun—the kind of pottery that instantly makes you smile. Dating to the early 1960s, likely around 1959–1962, it has that perfect mix of playful form, handmade character, and smart modern design that makes Scandinavian ceramics so endlessly appealing. It is slightly asymmetrical, hand-carved, and downright cool-looking in the best possible way.

The design is done in sgraffito, a technique in which the surface is carved to create contrast between the matte clay body and the applied glaze. Here, the combination of chocolate-brown clay and turquoise glaze gives the piece an earthy yet modern look that still feels fresh today. The dark reddish-brown clay body and red clay interior support the attribution to Berit Ternell for Gefle Porslinsfabrik, Sweden, and point to it being an earthenware or redstoneware piece. This vase is highly characteristic of Ternell’s sought-after “T” series, known for its matte brown bodies and carved turquoise geometric decoration.

At approximately 6 inches high, it is that ideal classic table-sized vase—large enough to make a statement, but easy to style on a shelf, side table, desk, or in a grouped vignette. It has no chips, cracks, or repairs, which makes it an especially appealing example for collectors. Pieces from this series remain highly desirable for their bold texture, color contrast, and unmistakable mid-century Scandinavian personality.

What makes this vase so lovable is that it does not just sit there looking pretty—it has real presence. It feels artistic, clever, and full of life, like a tiny sculpture with attitude. The carved turquoise pattern pops against the matte brown body in such a satisfying way, and the whole thing walks that rare line between earthy, graphic, and joyful. It is exactly the kind of vintage find people fall a little bit in love with.