Marianne Westman (June 17, 1928 - January 15, 2017) was born and raised in Falun, Dalarna, central Sweden. Falun is a region known for its copper mines and the traditional craft of Dalarna horses, and its rich natural environment had a major influence on Westman's sensibilities. From an early age, she was fascinated by drawing and crafting, which fostered her creativity, and the aesthetic sensibility cultivated in this environment would strongly influence her later designs.

(The scenic townscape of my hometown, Falun)

Studying art and design and starting a career

After graduating from high school, Westman entered the prestigious Swedish Academy of Arts, Crafts and Design (Konstfack), an art school in Stockholm, where he specialized in ceramics from 1946. After graduating from university in 1950, at the age of 22, he was hired as a designer by Rörstrand, a long-established ceramics manufacturer. Rörstrand is a venerable manufacturer that serves the Swedish royal family, and at the time it was in the midst of its " golden age ," employing famous ceramic artists such as Carl-Harry Stalhane and Hertha Bengtsson.

However, Westman herself was initially unwilling to take up a design position at a large company, and dreamed of having her own pottery studio in her hometown of Falun. Nevertheless, working at Rörstrand ultimately became the first step in her career.

Masterpieces and their influence

One of Westman's most famous works is the "Mon Amie" series, which features a delicate indigo floral pattern and was released in 1952, shortly after he joined Rörstrand .

The "Mon Amie" series was born from inspiration from small wild flowers. The lovely four-petaled floral pattern was inspired by wild rosemary that blooms on rainy nights on the summer solstice, and it all began when Westman sketched a delicate white "Labrador Tea" (Japanese name: wild rosemary) on a rainy day in the late 1940s.

The series name " Mon Amie " means "my lover" or "friend" in French, and is imbued with affection for a special someone. As the name suggests, the indigo floral pattern creates a warm and peaceful atmosphere, instilling a sense of happiness in the viewer.

"Mon Amie" ultimately resulted in the design of approximately 40 different tableware sets , including plates, bowls, egg cups, teapots, etc. The smoothly curved flintware (stoneware) base is decorated with a cobalt blue wild rosemary floral pattern, and the free-flowing touch born from hand-drawn sketches is both classic and fresh, highlighting the unique perspective of a female designer.

When Mon Ami was released, it became a huge hit in Sweden and has become established as a representative design of Scandinavian mid-century. The original version was produced until 1987. Its enduring popularity led to it fetching high prices on the second-hand market, so a reissue was released in 2008 to commemorate Westman's 80th birthday. Its timeless design has not faded even after more than half a century, and it continues to be loved by many people today.

Mother of Porcelain - Marianne Westman

When it was first released, the "Mon Amie" series caused a great stir outside the market. It became one of Rörstrand's most beloved porcelain series, receiving high praise, including five gold medals and one silver medal at international exhibitions . Its clean, Nordic design and charming atmosphere were well received by consumers, and it gained a reputation as tableware that brightens up the dining table.

Her popularity was so great that at the time, more than half of Rörstrand's sales came from Westman's "Mon Ami" and "Picnic" series. Due to this success, she was nicknamed "Porslinsmamma" ( mother of porcelain ) within the company. Although it was a departure from his original dream of having a small workshop, he was able to establish his career as a designer within the first few years of his career.

The Golden Age of Mon Amis

The 1950s, when Mon Amis was born, was known as the " mid-century ," a time when Scandinavian design was beginning to attract global attention. In Scandinavian homes, where traditional tableware was prevalent, Mon Amis became iconic amid a trend toward incorporating bold, modern designs with motifs of familiar nature. At the time, classic plant patterns and plain tableware were the norm in Scandinavia, but the vibrant patterns that stood out against the white background are said to have enhanced the food and brought surprise and delight to the dining table.

(She was also a pioneer among female designers in Scandinavia.)

Following the success of "Mon Ami," Westman ventured into more playful designs, such as the " Picnic " series, featuring a fun vegetable pattern, in 1956. When first released, the innovative designs were met with skepticism from management, and the series was even shelved for two years , but it eventually went on sale and became a huge hit, becoming a landmark of Scandinavian design. Westman's designs brought fun and practicality to the home, and had a major influence on the direction of Scandinavian modern design.

In 2009, to commemorate Westman's 80th birthday, a new "Mon Amie" series was reissued , with her own tweaks to the design. Along with the original vintage pieces, its charming designs continue to be highly sought after around the world. Even after more than half a century, "Mon Amie" remains a timeless masterpiece in the history of Scandinavian design, and is still loved by many people today as tableware that brings happiness to everyday life.

Later activities and legacy

In 1971, Westman left Rörstrand after 21 years of employment . He then worked as a freelance designer, gaining international experience through work on glassware for Skruf in Sweden and with German ceramic manufacturers. In 1977, he returned to his hometown of Falun and began designing fabric patterns at his family's textile studio. He recreated the botanical and everyday motifs he had previously expressed in ceramics as vibrant fabrics, delighting people in new ways.

Her creative drive continued into her later years, and in 2008 she collaborated with Rörstrand to participate in a project to revive the "Mon Amis" pattern . It must have been a great joy for her to see this masterpiece being mass-produced again after half a century.

Marianne Westman passed away in 2017 at the age of 88. However, her designs live on to this day, with designs such as "Mon Ami" and "Picnic" being re-produced by Rörstrand and Almedahls (Swedish textile manufacturers) and gaining many fans. Her original pieces also remain highly popular in the vintage market, and her bright designs have been loved by generations. The world that Westman created continues to shine as a symbol of the golden age of Scandinavian design.

Click here for a list of Marianne Westman's works.

(Written by: Nordic Tableware Tackshomucke Editorial Department)