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Birger Kaipiainen Furniture

Finnish, 1915-1988

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)

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Color:  Black
Creator: Birger Kaipiainen
Birger Kaipiainen Large Decorative Ceramic Dish, Arabia
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen saw the world through a surreal and symbolic filter that made it more joyful, flowerful, and certainly more colourful. However, during times of grief, as when he lost his wife Maggi in 1966, he turned to blues, blacks and violets. Another such period was when Kaipiainen lost his dear friend, the Marimekko's founder and designer, Armi Ratia in 1979. Birger and Armi used to spend a lot of time at her legendary Bökars Mansion that had a wonderful veranda adorned with columns and chandeliers. Armi's loss was reflected in a few of Kaipiainen's works from that period. In those works (see last pics of dishes from the book Kaipiainen by Maria Berg) his interpretation of the duality of life and death was obvious. Also the symbolism bridging the two was present (reflection, bridges, boats, flowing waters). We can also see pansy flowers that he frequently used after the loss of his wife. In this unique dish, Kaipiainen used a lot of the above colours and elements, and just as Armi was the soul of their legendary parties, he introduced the golden harp...
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Birger Kaipiainen Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Beads

Dish Designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dish designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1970s. Stoneware. Unique. Signed "KAIPIAINEN ARABIA" Dimensions: L: 42 cm / 1' 4 1/2'' H: 36 cm / 1' 2"
Category

1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Birger Kaipiainen Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Monumental Dish Designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Monumental dish designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland. 1960s. Stoneware. Measurements: L: 70.5 cm/ 2' 4'' H: 49.5 cm/ 19 1/2''
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Birger Kaipiainen Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Large Birger Kaipiainen Ceramic Wall Piece for Arabia, Mint Condition
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very large Birger Kaipiainen ceramic wall sculpture. Condition is virtually perfect. Stunning Mid-Century Modern design.
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1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Birger Kaipiainen Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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Birger Kaipiainen furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Birger Kaipiainen furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Birger Kaipiainen furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Birger Kaipiainen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in finland during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg, Rut Bryk, and Saara Hopea-Untracht. Prices for Birger Kaipiainen furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $966 and can go as high as $28,110, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,689.

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