1960s – Danish Mid-Century Modern – Søholm Blue Series Stoneware Table Lamp by Einar Johansen

Origin:

An authentic 1960s stoneware table lamp from Einar Johansen’s celebrated Blue Series for Søholm Stentøj, produced on the island of Bornholm, Denmark.

One of Johansen’s most recognizable ceramic treatments defines the piece: a deeply incised geometric diamond patternwraps around the compact stoneware body, creating a highly tactile architectural surface. Over this relief sits a rich blue-brown glaze, shifting between deep cobalt, muted blue and earthy brown depending on the light and where the glaze settles within the incisions.

The combination of geometric precision, substantial stoneware and expressive glazing is characteristic of Johansen’s highly collectible work for Søholm, where functional domestic objects were treated with the same sculptural consideration as studio ceramics.

A newly handmade Danish linen shade complements the compact proportions of the original ceramic base without competing with its richly textured surface.

Condition:

Ceramic base in excellent vintage condition
Glaze beautifully preserved with natural tonal variation characteristic of the piece
Professionally rewired with a natural-blue braided textile cord
New handmade linen lampshade by Hakonsen Design, Denmark
Shade is a contemporary replacement and not original to the lamp

Details:

Designer: Einar Johansen
Manufacturer: Søholm Stentøj
Series: Blue Series
Material: Glazed stoneware; linen shade
Style: Danish Mid-Century Modern / Scandinavian Studio Ceramics
Era: circa 1960s
Origin: Bornholm, Denmark
Pattern: Incised geometric diamond relief
Glaze: Deep blue-brown reactive glaze
Ceramic Base: H 14 × Ø 15 cm
Total Height: approx. 30 cm
Shade: Handmade linen shade by Hakonsen Design, Denmark
Electrical: Professionally rewired 

Perfect for:

Bedside or side-table styling where a smaller sculptural lamp is required
Collectors of Einar Johansen, Søholm Stentøj and Danish studio ceramics
Adding a subtle layer of cobalt blue and handcrafted texture to a neutral interior
A bookshelf, console, home library or intimate reading corner
Pairing with contemporary furniture as a contrasting piece of collectible Scandinavian design

Design Notes:

Small in scale but exceptionally strong in character, this lamp demonstrates why Einar Johansen’s Blue Series has become among his most recognizable work for Søholm.

The incised diamond relief transforms the ceramic body into an almost architectural object, while the glaze moves between blue and brown as it settles across the raised and recessed surfaces. Under changing light, the geometry becomes increasingly pronounced, giving the compact form remarkable visual depth.

The restrained linen shade allows the stoneware to remain the focal point, while its natural texture softens the graphic quality of the base. The result is quintessentially Danish: sculptural yet functional, expressive yet restrained.

A beautifully resolved piece of 1960s Bornholm ceramic design and a distinctive collectible from Søholm’s mid-century production.