Höganäs – a deeply Swedish ceramics brand for home coziness!
We’ve all heard of IKEA. But even before them (and alongside them!), Swedes created their own classic brand of ceramic tableware – Höganäs. It’s what you’ll find in a Swedish pantry, on their shelves, and at Skansen.
We’ve all heard of IKEA. But even before them (and alongside them!), Swedes created their own classic brand of ceramic tableware – Höganäs. It’s what you’ll find in a Swedish pantry, on their shelves, and at Skansen.
Skansen, which was created to preserve Swedish culture, naturally preserves and displays those iconic pots on its shelves – THE Höganäs!
Like many inventions, Höganäs started as a byproduct. Remember how even Sweden's famous Falu red paint was a byproduct of copper mining? Well, these pots were a byproduct of the coal industry. The piles of clay left over after coal extraction were turned into tableware. It turned out to be cheap, durable, and thanks to the glaze, it could withstand harsh environments like acidic jams or sauerkraut. That’s why Höganäs pots could be found in practically every Swedish home.
You can also spot Höganäs in the marvelous illustrations by Sven Nordqvist for the Pettson and Findus books. For me, these books are a true declaration of love for Swedish culture, history, and heritage. And I have a feeling our little pots are featured there for a very good reason!
I even found Höganäs (and Gustavsberg!) pots sitting in the windows of Gävle.
Spot the pot in every photo! These photos are from Swedish accounts and real estate listings where Swedes sell apartments to Swedes.
Over time, progress marched forward, of course. Swedes invented refrigerators, jam became available year-round on supermarket shelves, and the need for fermenting and preserving for the winter gradually faded away. Yet almost every self-respecting homemaker kept one, two, or maybe twenty Höganäs pots. And every now and then, the trend comes roaring back. Here are the prices for these Swedish treasures!
During these periods, those very homemakers go through their stashes, pull out pots in every shade of Höganäs, and put them up for sale online. They know the true worth of their treasures, and some collections are listed for thousands of kronor! Now, let me show you what I managed to snag — and for how much!
