Art Deco Bronze Vase Oscar Antonsson Ystad Sweden Fiddler and Woman Relief 1930s to 1940s

A striking and very heavy Swedish Art Deco vase in solid patinated bronze, by the renowned sculptor Oscar Antonsson (1898–1960) and made in Ystad, Sweden, c. 1930s–1940s. Antonsson’s work for Ystad Metall / AB Athena is well regarded and is highly collectible today.

The vase is a tall, slim rectangular form, decorated in relief on both broad faces:

• Side one: a graceful woman with windswept hair and gown, holding a posy of flowers, with swallows in flight above and a flowering plant at her feet.
• Side two: a young fiddler in a brimmed hat and folk-style jacket, playing his violin, with birds above and foliage at his feet. The relief is marked “FRÖDING” to the lower edge, possibly a tribute to the poet Gustaf Fröding, whose verse features fiddlers and pastoral scenes. The “Antonsson” mark is directly above, just under the fiddler’s left foot.

This piece is a signature example of the streamlined elegance known as the Swedish Grace style, a localised form of Art Deco from the late 1930s.

Measurements: Height 10 in (25.8 cm) | Width 3½ in (8.8 cm) | Depth 2 in (4.8 cm)
Weight: 2.6 kg – a very substantial piece

Condition: Very good vintage condition, with a naturally aged and uneven patina and the odd small casting pit and mark, all consistent with age. The brass-toned bronze shows warm highlights on the raised areas. There are no cracks and no repairs. Please look closely at the photos, which form part of the description.