C20Ceramics

Dec 4

Figgjo Tor Viking

This very attractive pattern stands out as another very attractive design by Turi Gramstad Oliver.

I love the colours of Tor Viking with its pacific deep blue, olive green, aquamarine and bright white all combining so well in this pattern.

Tor Viking was in production from 1973-1983. The design was placed on a full range of Figgjo forms which were used on other sets and forms used between 1959 and 1973 – so you will find a huge number of different pieces made in this pattern. You will also find many iterations of the design on the same shapes.

I read some time ago that the design was inspired by the travels of Thor Heyerdahl and his travels in the pacific ocean on “Kon Tiki” – but I cant find this link documented anywhere now. The colours and motifs in the pattern are definitely those of the pacific ocean and islands though.

I have a number of pieces of Tor Viking for sale in my online store currently – link in the right had column.

Figgjo Tor Viking Full Condiment Set on Original Wooden Tray – Turi Gramstad Oliver

Figgjo Tor Viking – Condiment-Cruet Set of Salt, Pepper and Mustard on Original Wooden Tray

Figgjo Tor Viking Saucepan

Figgjo Tor Viking Lidded Sugar Bowl

Figgjo Tor Viking Rectangular Plate

Figgjo Tor Viking – Platter or Rectangular Main Course Plate

Figgjo Tor Viking – Square Butter Box

Figgjo Tor Viking – Teapot

Figgjo Tor Viking – Tea Trio

Figgjo Tor Viking Plate

Figgjo Tor Viking – lidded casserole

Figgjo Tor Viking – Skillet Pan

Figgjo Tor Viking – Large (1 litre) Milk or Water Jug

Figgjo Tor Viking – large sandwich board

Figgjo Tor Viking – Lidded Serving Tureen

Oct 6

Denby Arabesque – Some Rarer Items

My post from some years ago about Gill Pemberton and her Arabesque series for Denby c1962 continues to be one of the most read articles on this site. Link here

Recently I got hold of a whole lot of wonderful Denby Arabesque (or Denby Samarkand if you are in the USA). Amongst it were some pieces I haven’t seen in person before, and which seem to be very hard to find these days.

First is the large mug – often referred to as a “Grandmug” because of its size which is around 14cm tall x 7.5cm diameter with a capacity of 350ml. By todays standards this is probably a normal sized mug – but by the standards of the 1960s when this was released, very large.

Denby Arabesque Large Mug

Denby Arabesque Large Mug and Small Coffee Mug Side by Side

Denby Arabesque Large Mug

Then there is the large Hors D’Oeuvre rectangular dish – which was part of a set with 4-6 smaller rectangular dishes – and often originally sold with a teak tray.

Denby Arabesque Hors D’Oeuvre Dish – Large Size

The Celery Dish – is a much coveted item (sorry it is now SOLD), and because of its impressive angular boat shape form, it is a perfect centrepiece dish for a table or console table these days. The same Celery Dish form is also a very popular item from the Chevron series, again designed by Gill Pemberton.

Denby Arabesque Celery Dish

There is quite a wide selection of Arabesque items now for sale in my Etsy store HERE (or from the link in the right hand column). While not a rare item, one of my favourites is this large serving platter, because it shows off the pattern so well.

Denby Arabesque Platter

During the week also I discovered a Denby Arabesque piece posted on Instagram which I never knew existed – an Ice Bucket!. It seems to be very rare (and it was sold very quickly as far as I can see). Photo courtesy of The China Village UK

Denby Arabesque Ice Bucket – Photo via The China Village UK

Sep 21

Figgjo Norway "Sicilia" - Turi Gramstad Oliver

Figgjo “Sicilia”, Turi Gramstad Oliver

This charming design is instantly recognisable as one by Turi Gramstad Oliver for Figgjo Norway.

The series is called “Sicilia”, and it was designed as a fruit set with 6 different plates (18.5cm) and a larger serving plate (about 30cm). The plates have a rounded square form used on some other series at Figgjo around the same time. The glaze being high gloss, adds to the design giving it a lovely tactile quality.

The outline of the design has been silkscreened, which was then finished with hand painting.

Each of the 6 smaller plates has a male or female figure in a bucolic setting with fruit, and the larger plate has a design of the male and female figures together.

Turi recalls it being made a long time after Lotte – probably some time in the early to mid 1970s.