This is a large-sized teacup and saucer by Paratiisi, a masterpiece that was reproduced as a Finnish product in 1988. It is a size larger than a regular coffee cup.
The series name Paratiisi means "paradise" in Finnish. It was designed by Birger Kaipiainen, a representative designer of the company, and was released in 1969, but production was temporarily suspended in 1974 due to the oil crisis.
Paratiisi's logo has five types: 1) the 1969 viola (pansy) logo, 2) the leaf logo produced in the latter half of 1971, which replaced the viola with the ARABIA mark, 3) the crown logo in the 1988 reprint, which was replaced with a circular English logo , 4) the black and white logo with the 1988 logo's colors removed, and 5) the Thai logo, which is the black and white logo with the circular logo removed from the black and white logo. The black and white crown logo in 4 is made in Finland, but all modern versions are made in Thailand. This product is 3, made in 1988.
The 1988 logo features an Arabian crown logo on the backstamp and a leaf pattern in color. Later, a black and white version without the leaf color was released in Finland, and the current Thai version has the word "FINLAND" removed.
The edges of the saucers are also slightly higher than before, rising sharply, and the base is thin and refined. Both the cups and saucers are faithful to the vivid colors of the past, which suggests that ARABIA still had the know-how to reproduce Paratiisi in 1988. Modern Thai-made reproductions are characterized by their unique color development and clear contrast between light and dark, but this is a fine vintage item that has the pale colors that are characteristic of Paratiisi.
■DetailsManufacturer: ARABIA Designer: Birger Kaipiainen Series: Paratiisi Year: 1988 Country of origin: Finland Condition: There is a chip on the back of the saucer. The surface of the saucer shows signs of wear when held up to the light. This is a special price item.
■Size Cup width 11.5cm (including handle) Cup height 6.7cm Saucer diameter 16.5cm
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.
ARABIA - Arabia
ARABIA is a ceramic manufacturer representing Finland in the 20th century. Originally, ARABIA was a factory established in Finland by Sweden's Rörstrand as a base for producing pottery for Russia. The company's name comes from the fact that it was established in the Arabian district of Helsinki, the capital.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, many world-famous designers such as Ulla Procoppe, Birger Kaipiainen, Laiya Uosikkinen, and Esteri Tomura created many works, known as the Golden Age of ARABIA. Works that had a great influence on modern modern design were created at the time, from simple Scandinavian modern designs to highly decorative and well-crafted pieces. ARABIA is known for its masterpieces such as paratissi, crocus, flora, and corari, which are both practical and decorative items unique to Scandinavian tableware that are useful for both interior and everyday use.