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)
Decorative Blue Dish with Gold Beads designed by Birger Kaipianen, 1980s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia of Finland
Located in Værløse, DK
Decorative Blue Dish with gold beads designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in the 1984. * Oval Hand-Painted Blue Dish with pocket watches, flower and butterfly motives and gold ...
Ceramic
Large Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand in Limited Edition 294/500
By Rörstrand, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Exceptional and beautiful large platter designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand in limited edition, number 294/500. Decor with apples, plums and bunches of grapes. Birger Kaipiainen has been called "the master of ceramics" and "the undisputed ruler of decorative art". Highlights of iridescent glaze. The platter is in mint condition. No sign of use. Birger Kaipiainen began his career at the Arabia Art Department in 1937 and quickly found his own way to make art. The soon-to-begin Winter War and several losses in his personal life cast a dark shadow over the beginning of his artistic career, and this manifested as sadness and longing in his early works. They are dominated by ethereal, fairy-tale-like characters depicted in pastel tones, with references to early Italian Renaissance and longing for a more beautiful world. 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...
Porcelain, Stoneware
1950s Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand ARO Bowl
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A ceramic bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand circa 1950s. Gorgeous glaze and great movement with the bowl, this could work in a variety of interiors. Other notable ceramic...
Ceramic
Jensen Decorative Dish, Stainless Steel, Modern Design, 2013
By Constantin Wortmann, Georg Jensen
Located in London, GB
Georg Jensen Cobra Stainless Steel Centrepiece Bowl by Constantin Wortmann, Denmark Georg Jensen Cobra Stainless Steel Centrepiece Bowl by Constantin Wortmann, Denmark. A sculptural...
Stainless Steel
$235Sale Price|33% Off
H 1.18 in Dm 7.87 in
Art pottery Vide-Poche or plate by Inger Persson for Rörstrand, Sweden
By Inger Persson, Rörstrand
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A signed rare abstract Scandinavian Mid- century modern art ceramic plate made by Inger Persson in the 1960s for Rörstrand, Sweden. This is a studio production and has an unusual pat...
Ceramic
English Flow Blue Ceramic Decorative Trinket Dish by Enoch Wedgwood - England
By Enoch Wedgwood
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An early flow blue ceramic trinket dish or catchall by Enoch Wedgwood (Tunstall). This dish is created from a sturdy creamy white ceramic. It is deco...
Ceramic, Paint
$197Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.08 in Dm 6.97 in
Kosta Boda 1980s White Swirl Crystal Bowl, Modern Decorative Design
By Kosta Boda
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Heavy mouthblown Swedish modern solid crystal decorative vide poche by Kosta Boda manufactured in the 1980s. Soft semicircle shaped clear art glass bowl with encased layered white or...
Crystal
French Majolica Fish Platter Fives Lille Circa 1900
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Fish Platter Fives Lille Circa 1900. W / 11.5 inches.
Ceramic
Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand Stoneware Bowl
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming bowl designed by Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand. Bowl features an emerald green body with a yellowish/gold rim. A very ...
Stoneware
Large French Majolica Fish Platter Fives Lille Circa 1900
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica Fish Platter Fives Lille Circa 1900. 15 by 6.3 inches.
Ceramic
$8,829
H 3.15 in W 12.6 in D 11.82 in
Large Blue Swedish Decorative Mid Century Ceramic Dish by Stig Lindberg, 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare, unique and oversized Swedish mid century stoneware bowl with handles in a decorative and characteristic blue brown glaze with an impressed decor designed by Stig Lindberg for...
Stoneware
$618
H 1.97 in W 11.42 in D 7.68 in
Midcentury Stoneware Platter by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware platter by Gunnar Nylund, with an embossed pattern. Dark brown glaze with celadon green “Mimosa” flecks. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicist...
Stoneware
$2,166Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.43 in Dm 18.31 in
Large Ceramic Wall Bowl Platter, Scandinavian Modern, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Very large, stunning Nordic decorative hanging wall plate / centerpiece / bowl in muted earth tones. Peanut brown matte glaze with navy ...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay
$1,800
H 1.25 in Dm 14.5 in
"Paris at Night, " Large Midcentury Platter or Low Bowl with Sailor and Blonde
By Ruscha
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hinting at the demimonde of Paris after World War II, this rare and atmospheric bowl/platter depicts a lamp post flanked by a sailor with his cap and bandanna, and a blonde woman in a tight sweater and pair of fashionable Capri pants. The setting is a rundown section of the city, probably near the docks, and the ragtag background of houses and the striped alley cat complete the picture. This piece was made by the famed Ruscha ceramic...
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.76 in Dm 13 in
Birger Kaipiainen Ceramic Wall Plate with Pansies and Fruit Motif, Finland 1960s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in New York, NY
A striking ceramic wall plate by Birger Kaipiainen, among the most celebrated and imaginative figures in post-war Nordic ceramics. Executed with Kaipiainen’s characteristic blend of...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.97 in W 9.06 in D 9.85 in
Birger Kaipiainen Ceramic Plate with Flower and Beaded Detailing Rörstrand
By Rörstrand, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
This beautifully glazed stoneware plate, measuring 25 x 23 cm, is a stunning example of Birger Kaipiainen’s artistry, featuring intricate bead details and a lustrous glaze. The decor...
Stoneware
Sold
H 24.5 in W 23.5 in D 6.25 in
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.
Ceramic
Sold
H 18.12 in W 16.93 in D 13.78 in
Big Decorative Ceramic Plate 'Viola 1967" -Arabia Finland- by Birger Kaipiainen
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Turku, Finland
Decorative ceramic plate marked 'Viola 1967, Arabia Finland, Kaipiainen Invenit', numbered 917/3000. Design by Birger Kaipiainen (Finland, 1915-1988). Viola (a flower, violet in Latin) features a beautiful black and blue glazing on a viola-shaped wall plate. “Sea of Violets” was the artwork by Kaipiainen for Expo 67...
Ceramic
Dish by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1970’s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware. Unique. Measures: D: 25.5 cm/ 10" H: 4 cm/ 1 1/2".
Stoneware
Sold
H 19.49 in W 27.76 in D 1.97 in
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''
Stoneware