Birger Kaipiainen, Large Decorative Ceramic Plate, Arabia

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...

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...

Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) was the master of decorative ceramics. He was especially known for his ornamental dishes, rich, colourful and with themes from the fantasy world and fai...

Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) was the master of decorative ceramics. He was especially known for his ornamental dishes, rich, colourful and with themes from the fantasy world and fai...

Birger Kaipiainen had a thing for clock´s. Frequently in his decorative dishes he had clock`s that were always pointing to 12:15. Now here is the whole thing. In perfect working orde...

Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) was the master of decorative ceramics, known for his ornamental dishes, rich, colourful and with themes from the fantasy world and fairytales, which fought against idealism of minimalism in 1950s. He was inspired by the early Renaissance, Byzantine ornamentation and Orthodox art...

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"

Amazing, unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen. Beautiful composition with deep red poppy flowers with seeds in relief in the center and butteflies scattered on the petals. ...

Ceramic plate by Annikki Hovisaari for Arabia, 1950s. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use.

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 ...

Ceramic plate designed by Annikki Hovisaari, manufactured by Arabia, 1950s. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use.

Scandinavian modern ceramic bulls eye bowl by Aune Siimes for Arabia in the 1940s/1950s. Beautiful piece of mid-century modern art ceramics. Signed at the ...