This creamer is from the Ant series by ARABIA, a leading Finnish tableware manufacturer.
The Ant series was produced between 1961 and 1973. It was launched by the famous Arabia designer duo, Kaj Franck and Raija Uosikkinen. Ant was the last copperplate transfer work among Arabia's 20th century products. Copperplate transfer is a type of silk screen printing, in which a copper plate with a pattern design is carved out is coated with cobalt-based ink, and the ink is transferred to transfer paper. The transfer paper is then placed over a plain piece of pottery, which is then brushed with a brush to fix the ink, and a thin layer of transparent glaze is applied and refired. The strength of the transfer creates individual differences such as light and dark shades and unevenness in the color. The differences in shade create individuality and flavor, and clearly show the skill of the craftsman.
Copperplate transfer printing is very time-consuming, so production of Ali ceased during the oil crisis in 1973. This was a period of stagnation when production of the ARABIA masterpiece Paratiisi was also discontinued, and production of the main lineup was forced to end across the board. In addition, in the 1980s, when cheap foreign pottery began to emerge, many ARABIA products were produced that omitted processes and reduced costs, such as by simply attaching pre-made transfer paper or decorating with simple hand painting. Compared to the works from the golden age up to that point, the decoration of the works from the 1980s onwards is extremely simple, giving a sense of the difficult times when it was difficult to devote money to time and effort. Considering this historical background, 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 representative work 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, which is in contrast to the cold regional characteristics, and Ali is a perfect expression of the non-regional design of Scandinavian tableware.
■ Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: ARABIA Form design: Kaj Franck Pattern design: Raija Uosikkinen Year: 1961-1973 Country of origin: Finland Condition: ★★★★☆ (4.5: Very good condition)
This is a deadstock item in excellent condition with no cracks or chips. 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.