This is a huge art plate designed in the 1950s by Birger Kaipiainen, a master of 20th century modernism representing Finland. Kaipiainen is known as a designer for the Finnish company ARABIA, but he was also employed by Rörstrand in Sweden from 1954 to 1958. This limited edition plate was designed during those four years.
For more information, please see this blog post : "Birger Kaipiainen's 500-piece limited edition plate"
Kaipiainen's masterpiece "Paratiisi" is well known, but Paratiisi was designed in 1969. It depicts a paradise based on a Christian worldview, but in fact he had been pursuing mythological motifs for more than 10 years before the appearance of Paratiisi. This plate is a masterpiece that truly shows the origin of Kaipiainen's creations.
During his time at Rörstrand, Kaipiainen is said to have developed his own unique style and technique. There, he worked on producing artistic ceramic pieces, which stood out from the typical industrial production of ceramics. The distinctive style he developed during this period would remain a theme throughout his career and would have a major influence on his later work.
Kaipiainen's work at Rörstrand was to "blur the boundaries between art and industrial design." He helped establish the unique use of Scandinavian tableware, where plates are both works of art and everyday objects, and where pleasure is generated both in using them and looking at them. Kaipiainen is known for his highly individualistic experiments with glazes and colors.
Kaipiainen's experience in Sweden had a major influence on his creative work after he returned to Finland. The experiments and results of his time at Rörstrand continued in his creative work in Finland, forming the basis for his signature body of work. Birger Kaipiainen's career at Rörstrand occupies an important place in the history of Scandinavian ceramic design.
Kaipiainen's designs are heavily influenced by surrealism. His masterpiece Paratiisi also has a mythical paradise as its motif, and all the flowers and fruits depicted are imaginary. This art plate is similar, and there are no specific fruits or plants that serve as motifs, but they are based on his imagination. The apples of paradise, the fruit of knowledge, and the grassy landscape that covers them are depicted geometrically.
Kaipiainen's art plates are becoming scarce, and are rarely seen on the vintage market. The period when Scandinavian design established its own unique worldview is called "Mid-century", which mainly refers to the 1950s to 1970s. In the 1980s, the time-consuming and expensive manufacturing methods that had been used up until then fell out of favor, and the economic downturn led to a period of technological decline. In the 1980s, many famous designers, including Kaipiainen, passed away, and there were no successors to follow, so the world of Scandinavian modernism entered a period of decline.
Even if the mid-century vintage items are the same, the color, luster, and depth of the glaze vary slightly from piece to piece. It is natural for there to be errors and crazing, but on the other hand, the colors are outstanding and the quality of the handiwork is apparent. For this reason, Kaipiainen's art works cannot be reproduced today, and can be said to be works from a glorious era that will never be available in the 21st century. This is one of 500 works that Kaipiainen personally supervised. It will eventually become a valuable asset. Don't miss this opportunity to see it.
Please note that this is a very large plate, so it would take up a lot of space in a Japanese home to display it. It is the largest plate we have ever handled, and is more of a painting-like piece of interior design than a decorative plate. It is so large that it would be difficult for one person to carry it, so please check the size before making your decision.
■Details Manufacturer: Rörstrand Designer: Birger Kaipiainen Year: 1950s Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★☆ (4.5: Very good condition)
There is a slight paint loss on the upper right edge of the plate. Also, when you hold the plate up to the light, you can see slight crazing on the upper right and upper left raised parts of the plate surface. Crazing is a crack that runs on the glaze surface during the firing process in the manufacturing process, and is not a scratch during use or damage to the body itself. Both were caused by the manufacturer during the manufacturing stage and have passed inspection.
The overall color is good, and it is in excellent condition with no cracks or chips. The serial number has been concealed as a consideration for those who collect it. If you would like to know the number, please contact us by email.
■Size: Width 62cm, Height 46cm
Birger Kaipiainen
Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988)
Born in Pori, southwestern Finland, on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. Finland's leading designer, known as the "King of Decorators". Although he moved to the capital, Helsinki, when he was a child, Kaipiainen spends every summer with a homestay in the Russian town of Sortavala. The sense of nature and artistry cultivated there would influence him throughout his life. In his prime, Kaipiainen suffered from polio, which forced him to walk with a cane for the rest of his life. Due to a disability in one hand, he was unable to turn the potter's wheel and make pottery by himself, but this experience is said to have inspired him to hone his unique artistic sense.
Kaipiainen graduated from Aalto University's Faculty of Art, Finland's top art university, and began working at ARABIA in 1937 , before also transferring to Sweden's Rorstrand for four years from 1954 . During the heyday of simple and unadorned modern Scandinavian art, Kaipiainen's designs were rich in ornamentation and characterized by detailed depictions drawn in every corner. He has created a unique worldview that stands out from the mainstream of the time, designing Paratisch in 1969 , Apia in 1970 , and Sunnuntai in 1971 . These are still Arabia's reprints and are their signature products.