This creamer is from the Ali series by ARABIA, a leading Finnish tableware manufacturer.
The Ant series was produced between 1961 and 1973. It was created by the renowned Arabia designer duo, Kaj Franck and Raija Uosikkinen. Ant was the last 20th-century Arabia product to feature copperplate transfer printing. Copperplate transfer printing is a type of silkscreen printing in which a pattern design is carved into a copper plate, cobalt-based ink is applied, and the ink is then transferred to transfer paper. The transfer paper is then placed over a plain piece of ceramic, which is then brushed with a brush to set the design. A thin, transparent glaze is then applied and the piece is re-fired. The strength of the transfer creates individual variations in color intensity and unevenness. These variations in color create individuality and character, clearly demonstrating the artisan's skill.
Because copperplate transfer printing is extremely time-consuming, production of Ali ceased during the 1973 oil crisis. This period was a time of stagnation, with the end of production of Arabia's masterpiece, Paratiisi, and the end of most of the brand's major lineup. Furthermore, in the 1980s, with the rise of inexpensive imported ceramics, many Arabia products were produced that reduced costs by simply applying pre-made transfer paper or simply hand-painting decorations. Compared to works from the previous golden age, works from the 1980s onwards feature extremely simple decorations, evoking a difficult time when time and money could not be spared. Considering this historical context, Ali can be said to be the last work from Arabia's golden age.
Raija Uosikkinen, who came up with the pattern design, has a style of painting things that do not exist in Scandinavia. The idyllic landscape of her masterpiece, Emilia, is said to have been a depiction of America, while this Ali series incorporates arabesque patterns from the Islamic world, which is unusual for Scandinavia. Scandinavian tableware is characterized by incorporating warmth and vividness into its designs, in contrast to the cold locales, and Ali perfectly embodies the non-regional design of Scandinavian tableware.
■Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: ARABIA / Arabia Form Design: Kaj Franck / Kaj Franck Pattern Design: Raija Uosikkinen / Raija Uosikkinen Year: 1961-1973 Country of Origin: Finland Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
This is a deadstock item in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, or crazing. There is no paint loss or crazing.
■Size
Width 9.3cm (including handle) Height 7.3cm
Kaj Franck
Kaj Franck ( 1911-1989 )
A famous designer from Finland, he promoted the modernization of tableware through the design of daily necessities, and had a great influence on the Nordic lifestyle.
In 1932, he studied furniture design at the Helsinki University of Arts and Crafts, and after graduating he worked in interior design, window displays, textiles, and glass design. In 1945, he became a designer for ARABIA, and achieved international success with the ``Kilta'' tableware series, which he had been developing since the 1940s.
In 1946, he won a glass design competition and became a designer for Iittala. From 1950, he was involved in glass design at Nuutajärvi, and his 1955 tumbler 2744 was selected for the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York. The design is known for its simplicity and functionality, and has become a symbol of Finnish design.
Raija Uosikkinen
Raija Uosikkinen (1923-2004)
Originally from Holoran, a town in southern Finland. Graduated from Aalto University's Faculty of Fine Arts in 1947 and joined Arabia. He worked as an exclusive designer for Arabia for 40 years until 1986, and was responsible for the designs of the Emilia series and Kalevala ear plates. He often collaborated with Kai Franck, with Kai Franck generally providing the form of the product and Uosikkinen providing the decorative design.
Even after Laija Uosikkinen retired from ARABIA in 1986 , he continued to live in a house right next to his company and happily invited the company's current designers and students from Aalto University to his home, providing friendly hospitality while also serving as a mentor to future generations. He is said to have provided guidance. His most famous work, the Emilia series, is said to express his longing for life in the distant United States. After World War II, Finland was never a rich country due to a series of periods of poverty, and the longing for richness during these poor and difficult times is the background behind the creation of this masterpiece.
