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Turnblad Mansion & Collections

Collections Spotlight: Swan Turnblad’s Tomte Tureen

A personal item from ASI's founder Swan Turnblad's collection
September 17, 2026 By Darby Johnson

This oval, lidded tureen from Rörstrand porcelain is decorated with two tomtes, one on each end, supporting the piece. The cover features a leaf-branch handle and an opening for a spoon (not included). Its inscription reads: “Happy Christmas to Swan J. Turnblad from Christina and Lillian. Rörstrand 1907. Made in Sweden.” 

In 1907, Swan received this gift from his wife, Christina, and daughter, Lillian. It was one of several Rörstrand pieces they gave him over the years, with other motifs ranging from a puppy to a moose and even a monkey. 

The Turnblad family’s fondness for tomte appears throughout ASI’s extensive collection, with several pieces featured in ASI’s 2025 holiday exhibition, Tomte Tales: Legends of Winter. Perhaps it’s no surprise that our own resident tomte feels right at home in the Turnblad Mansion!