For the vast majority of people in Sweden, potted plants only became a reality at the end of the 19th century. The flowers were then planted in hand-turned, usually unglazed pots made of red clay, with a round, cavelike mouth edge. Such pots have long been in Gysinge’s range.

The wealthier part of Sweden’s population, on the other hand, already had potted plants at the beginning of the 19th century. The fine rooms of the bourgeoisie and mansions often had glazed flowerpots, often with classicist decoration in relief in the form of garlands, lion faces or sculpted female faces.

The dominant finish was a running green glaze, and the similarity to the 18th-century tiled stoves is striking; the same rough craftsmanship, the same running glaze.

It is possible that these flower pots were also turned by the same potters who made tiled stoves. The sturdy rim and the typical lion masks date Gysinge’s “lion pot” to the early 19th century.

The original pot comes from Mälardalen and the model comes from a larger farm outside Sigtuna. The pot is only one in a larger set and all have had holes drilled in the bottom afterwards, which indicates that they were placed outdoors as terrace urns at some point.

It is uncertain whether they were planted directly in these pots, or whether they were intended for what was then called outer lining, i.e. outer pots. Planting directly in the pot is not recommended.