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)
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
Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Plums and Berries, Arabia 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
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
Large Surreal Green Garden Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring hand-painted flowers & women, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent only 4 ...
Faience
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
Unique Birger Kaipiainen "Lucky" Dish, Four Leaf Clover, Arabia, 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful small and unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in Finland in the 1970s. The plate is decorated with multiple four-leaf clovers, three-leaf clover...
Ceramic
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
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Ananas & 4 leaf Clover Dish, Arabia, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in Finland in the late 1950s - 1960s. The plate features a purple ananas filled with four-leaf clovers, ...
Ceramic
Large Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief, 9 Women & a Rose, Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring different beautifully hand-painted portraits of women, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s....
Faience
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
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Dish, Yellow Butterfly & Blooms, Arabia 1980
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipianen for Arabia in Finland in the late 1970s early 80s. The dish is quite sizable and decorated in bright yellow depiction of...
Stoneware
A Sizeable Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief, Standing Lady, Rörstrand 1950s
By Rörstrand, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring a beautifully hand-painted woman, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent onl...
Faience
Unique Birger Kaipiainen, Blue Ceramic Sculpture "Three Graces", Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
This early sculptural work by Kaipiainen stands out in interiors and would fit in many decorative surroundings. The unique turquoise toned work depicts the three Graces or Charites, ...
Ceramic
Large Platter, Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand 103/500
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Large Platter, design Birger Kaipiainen, manufactured by Rörstrand limited edition 103/500, Mid 20th Century, porcelain, good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and ...
Porcelain
$30,552
Ceramic by Birger Kaipiainen
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Zurich, CH
Beautiful unique plate by Birger Kaipiainen, showing his typical iridescent glaze, vibrant colors, floral motives and pearl applications all together
Ceramic
Unique ceramic plate by Birger Kaipiainen
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Zurich, CH
beautiful work by finnish ceramicist birger kaipiainen who was famous for his unique platters working with various techniques and colors, focussing on botanical motives - here shown ...
Ceramic
$7,332
H 14.57 in W 3.55 in D 14.57 in
Unique Birger Kaipiainen, Blue Ceramic Sculpture "Three Graces", Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
This early sculptural work by Kaipiainen stands out in interiors and would fit in many decorative surroundings. The unique turquoise toned work depicts the three Graces or Charites, ...
Ceramic
Arabia Kaj Frank Pair of Origami Ceramic Trays
By Arabia of Finland
Located in Miami, FL
2 origami plates by Kai Frank for Arabia. Some crazing.
Ceramic
Raija Tuumi Large Ceramic Platter for Arabia Finland
By Arabia of Finland, Raija Tuumi
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful and large stoneware charger designed, thrown, and glazed by acclaimed Finnish ceramic artist, Raija Tuumi for Arabia Finland. This piece has a rustic mottled dark brown gla...
Ceramic, Stoneware
1970s Diane Love Mikasa Blue & Brown Ceramic Vase
By Diane Love
Located in New York, NY
Handmade and hand-painted dark blue and brown glazed ceramic spherical bud vase by artist/designer Diane Love for Mikasa. Japan, circa 1970. Marked with brand stamp at underside.
Ceramic
$7,332
H 23.63 in W 3.15 in D 0.99 in
A Sizeable Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief, Standing Lady, Rörstrand 1950s
By Rörstrand, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring a beautifully hand-painted woman, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent onl...
Faience
1970s Ceramic Amphora with Iron Base
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s ceramic amphora with iron base.
Iron
Very large ceramic vase by Emmanuel Pecatte
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large vase by the French artist Emmanuel Peccatte, from the "Red Stripes" series. This stoneware vase is glazed with chamotte and treated with iron oxide to achieve its characteristi...
Ceramic
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s Model 'ARN', first grade quality. Height: 20 cm/7.8 inch Diameter: 8 cm/3.1 inch Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedis...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid Century Large Bowl in Ceramic by Conny Walther, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful large stoneware bowl by Danish artist Conny Walther. Made in 1970s. Great colour plate in this glaze. Other mentionable ceramic artists fro...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$2,056
H 6.3 in W 10.63 in D 9.45 in
Midcentury Modern Large Ceramic Bowl Rörstrand AXK Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful largest model of the AXK bowl manufactured in the 1950s at Rörstrand, designed by Gunnar Nylund. The bowl has a wonderful glaze and it lifts the shape of the bowl to a won...
Ceramic
$6,815
H 10.04 in W 16.54 in D 1.97 in
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Ananas & 4 leaf Clover Dish, Arabia, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in Finland in the late 1950s - 1960s. The plate features a purple ananas filled with four-leaf clovers, ...
Ceramic
Large Majolica Ceramic Fish Platter by Secla, 1960
By Secla
Located in Barcelona, ES
A glazed ceramic large fish platter in brown and toffee colors manufactured by Secla ceramics factory. Portugal, 1960s. A very interesting piece du...
Majolica, Ceramic
Sold
H 2.17 in Dm 15.36 in
A Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Dish, Lyster Pears & Flowers, Arabia 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipianen for Arabia in Finland in the 1970s., decorated with multiple different kinds of flowers and fruits. This piece is a good...
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.96 in Dm 15.36 in
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Dish, Lyster Apples & Pansies, Arabia, 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipianen for Arabia in Finland in the 1970s., decorated with multiple different kinds of flowers and fruits. This piece is a good...
Ceramic
Sold
H 12.21 in W 14.18 in D 2.76 in
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Dish, Carnations and Pansies, Arabia 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipianen for Arabia in Finland in the 1970s., decorated with multiple different kinds of flowers. This piece is a good example of...
Ceramic
Sold
H 12.21 in W 14.18 in D 2.76 in
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Dish, with Fkowers & Fruits, Arabia 1970s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is a beautiful unique ceramic plate decorated with a central sunflower and multiple plums and flowers. It is a good example of the artists skill to use colors and fine iridesce...
Ceramic
Birger Kaipiainen, rare 1930's metal tray for Kotiliesi
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Introducing a rare and exquisite piece of art, a metal tray hand-painted with a unique design by renowned artist Birger Kaipiainen. The tray was originally created for Kotiliesi post...
Metal
Sold
H 2.76 in W 16.15 in D 22.05 in
Birger Kaipiainen Large Decorative Ceramic Dish Golden Lyre & Blues, Arabia 1979
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
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...
Ceramic, Beads
Unique Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing, unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen. Beautiful composition on a white background, of a white flower, two silvery pears and violets. Birger Kaipiainen was Finland’...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.78 in W 13.98 in D 12.21 in
Unique Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing, unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen in an oval form. Beautiful composition of yellow sunflowers against a rich red background, surrounded by a pattern of round bla...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.78 in W 11.62 in D 10.63 in
Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen in an oval form. Striking motif of red flowers encircling a large seed pod with a graphic pattern in golden tones. Round seeds in the ce...
Ceramic
Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful, unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen in an oval form. Motif of a pale yellow poppy with black round seeds in relief, contrasting in a suggestive way against a dar...
Ceramic
Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful, unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen in an oval form. Motif of a pale yellow poppy with black round seeds in relief, contrasting in a suggestive way against a dar...
Ceramic
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'...
Stoneware