This is an extra-large plate from Valencia, the hand-painted tableware synonymous with ARABIA. The Valencia series includes plates in sizes 17cm, 19.5cm, 26cm, 33cm, and 36cm. This is the largest size, the 36cm plate. It is quite large, weighing 1.8kg. It is useful as a serving plate for a large number of people, but also has a presence like a decoration in a tokonoma alcove.
The series name Valencia is the name of a port city in southeastern Spain, and the deep cobalt blue represents the dull Mediterranean sea and the strong sunlight. Designer Ulla Procoppe designed Valencia in 1961, and it has become a timeless masterpiece with the most antique fans among ARABIA products. Procoppe also designed the long-running Ruska and the rare Flora. She died of illness at the young age of 47 in 1968, but she recuperated in the Canary Islands in Spain, and it is clear that Procoppe loved the Spanish seaside all her life. After her death, Valencia, like the other series, was produced for a long time and was manufactured in Finland for over 40 years until 2002. It has not been reproduced since then, and is now only available as a vintage item.
This product was produced in the 1960s or 1970s because the hand signature on the back is handwritten. Valencia was temporarily discontinued in the 1980s and was revived, but after the revival, "ARABIA" was stamped with a typeface stamp, and the oldest vintage product has a handwritten signature. "UP" is Ulla Procoppe's initial signature, and next to it are the initials of the painter who hand-painted it.
■ Detailed specifications
Manufacturer: ARABIA Designer: Ulla Procope Era: 1961-1970s (estimated)
Country of origin: Finland Condition: ★★★★☆ (4.5: Very good condition)
There are some slight scratches near the center due to storage, but they can be seen through the light. This is a deadstock item that has never been used and is in extremely good condition. It is an exceptional item that is in excellent condition and has excellent color and luster, even among items rated as extremely beautiful.
■Size
"Valencia" masterpiece of Arabic tableware
Valencia is a representative work of 20th century ARABIA. It was released in 1961 and was in long-run production for half a century until 2002. Sales ended when ARABIA moved its manufacturing base to Southeast Asia. In other words, all Valencia series products are manufactured in Finland. It has not been reprinted since then and is currently only available on the vintage market.
The series name, Valencia, is the name of a port city in southeastern Spain, and the deep cobalt blue color represents the dull-colored sea of the Mediterranean Sea and the strong sunlight. Designer Ulla Procope designed the Valencia in 1961, and it has become a timeless masterpiece with the most antique fans among all ARABIA products. Procope is also responsible for the design of the long-running Ruska and the highly rare Flora.
Procoppe died of illness in 1968 at the young age of 47, but she was recuperated in the Canary Islands of Spain, and it is said that she was surrounded by the Spanish coastline throughout her life. After her death, Valencia, like other series, went into long-run production and was manufactured in Finland for over 40 years until 2002.
Valencia is created using a technique called hand painting, in which the painter applies patterns one by one with a brush. This is a method that has been discontinued since ARABIA moved its manufacturing base outside of Finland, and hand painting means that it is a genuine Finnish product.
Ulla Procope
Ulla Procope (1921-1968)
Born in Helsinki. In 1948 , he graduated from the Faculty of Art and Design at Aalto University in Helsinki and joined Arabia Company. After that, he was in charge of design in the production department for 20 years, creating the Ruska series in 1960 and the Valencia series in 1961 . Ruska became the longest-running and most sold flagship product of Arabia's products, and the form of Ruska was called the S model , which became the prototype model for subsequent ARABIA tableware. Valencia is the last hand-painted ARABIA product. After suffering from cancer and retiring from active duty, Procope moved to Spain's Canary Islands, where he died at the age of 47 .