Birger Kaipiainen was a Finnish ceramist and designer. He is one of the most successful and well-known ceramic artists in Finland.
Kaipiainen graduated from the School of Arts & Crafts (later known as the Aalto School of Arts of Helsinki). After graduation he went to work for Finnish ceramics company Arabia in 1937, and later in 1954 for their Swedish sister company Rörstrand.
Kaipiainen worked as a designer for Arabia for over fifty years. As a child he suffered from polio and was consequently unable to use a pottery wheel. It was said that his illness heightened his artistic sensitivity.
Kaipiainen was nicknamed “the king of decorators” for his nostalgic, romantic and highly decorative ceramic designs at a time when minimalism was the prevailing trend in Finnish ceramics. He is known for repeatedly using the same signature nature-inspired motifs, such as violets and curlews.
The recipient of many awards, honorary titles, and a doctorate, Kaipiainen won a Grand Prix at the Triennale di Milano in 1951 and was awarded the prestigious Pro Finlandia medal in 1963.
Find vintage Birger Kaipiainen ceramics, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Connaisseurs Fine Art & Jewelry)
| Average Sold Price |
| $2,491 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia Finland Perho Pitcher Butterfly 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia of Finland
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic pitcher features a minimal rounded form with tone-on-tone blue butterfly decor. Perho (Butterfly) is one of the most successful Arabia series, created from 1958 to mi...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
$10,256
H 12.21 in W 14.18 in D 1.97 in
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Plate in Yellow Blue, & Beeds, Arabia 1970s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is a beautiful unique ceramic plate decorated with multiple beadings and it is a good example of the artists skill to use colours and fine iridescent glaze dots and details on t...
Ceramic, Beads
$65,530
H 22.45 in W 24.41 in D 5.12 in
Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Red Blue with Beeds, Arabia 1970s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) was the master of decorative ceramics. He was well known for his rich and colourful ornamental dishes, with themes from the fantasy world and fairytales...
Ceramic
$41,549
H 1.58 in W 22.05 in D 16.93 in
Unique Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen. Beautiful composition with silvery apples on a white background, as well as black currant berries and blue grapes in relief. ...
Ceramic
$61,731
H 22.45 in W 25.6 in D 5.12 in
Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Plums and Berries, Arabia 1970s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen (1915–1988) is celebrated as a master of decorative ceramics, renowned for his richly colored and ornamental works. Drawing from fantasy and fairytales, his art sto...
Metal
$25,452
H 2.76 in Dm 18.12 in
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Ceramic Plate in Luster Blues & Red with Beeds, Arabia
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) was the master of decorative ceramics at the Arabia factory in Finland. He was well known for his ornamental dishes that were rich, colourful and with themes from the fantasy world and fairytales, which actually fought against the idealism of the minimalistic movements in 1950s. Kaipiainen introduced ceramic beads to his art in the 60s' and the surface of the object became more important for Kaipianen´s art. This beautiful unique ceramic plate...
Ceramic, Beads
Birger Kaipiainen Wall plates
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in New York, NY
Wall plates.Designed by Birger Kaipiainen (1915 Pori - 1988 Helsinki). Ceramic. Cobalt blue background. In the mirror, pansies, pears and leaves are painted over iridescent glaze in ...
Ceramic
Friedl Kjellberg Large Ceramic Vase for Arabia, Turquoise Glaze, 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
A striking and rare large-scale ceramic vase by Friedl Kjellberg for Arabia, dating to the late 1940s to early 1950s. This sculptural vessel showcases Kjellberg’s refined approach to...
Ceramic
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |
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| $2,491 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $2,491-$2,491 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |