This is a masterpiece Paratissi tea cup and saucer that was reprinted in Finland in 1988.
The series name Paratiisi means "paradise" in Finnish. It was designed by Birger Kaipiainen, one of the company's leading designers, and released in 1969, but production was temporarily discontinued in 1974 due to the oil crisis.
The Paratissi logos are: 1) the viola (pansy) logo from 1969, 2) the leaf logo that replaces the viola part produced in late 1971 with the ARABIA mark, and 3) the 1988 reprint. There are five types: the crown logo which has been replaced with a circular English logo, 4) a black and white logo which has removed the colors from the 1988 logo, and 5) a made in Thailand logo which has further removed the circular logo from the black and white logo. The black and white crown logo (number 4) is made in Finland, but the modern version is all made in Thailand. This item is manufactured in 1988.
The 1988 logo features an Arabian crown logo on the backstamp and a colored leaf pattern. Later, a black and white version with no colored leaves was released even though it was made in Finland, and the word "FINLAND" is omitted from the current Thai version.
In addition, the edges of the saucer are shaped to be slightly higher than before, and the elevated part is narrow and has a sophisticated design. Both the cup and saucer have specifications that faithfully preserve the vividness of the colors of the past, giving the impression that in 1988, ARABIA still had the know-how to reproduce paratissi. Modern Thai-made reprints have very unique colors and are characterized by a clear contrast of light and shade, but this is a good vintage item that has the pale colors typical of Paratissi.
■Details Manufacturer: ARABIA / Arabian Designer: Birger Kaipiainen / Birger Kaipiainen Series Name: Paratiisi / Paratiisi Year: 1988 Country of Origin: Finland Condition: ★★★☆☆ (3.5: Good)
When you shine a light on the saucer surface, you can see some scratches, but both the cup and saucer are in good condition with no cracks, chips, or punctures.
■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.