Arabia Finland, Esteri Tomula – Fennica

Arabia Finland, Esteri Tomula – Fennica

Often you will come across designs from different eras being given the same name…even though by the same manufacturer.

This is the case here with Arabia Finland “Fennica”.  This beautifully intricate and delicate floral design featured is one by Esteri Tomula for Arabia Finland on forms by Brita Heilimo.

This Fennica design was in production 1953-1974, and very different from the later “Fennica” c 1970s which had the same forms as Arabia Ruska in a plain cream colour. ( I have seen slightly different dates for production – but I think the one above is most accurate).

On some of the designs of Fennica, the colour scheme is blue/green/grey as in the first photograph. On other variations of the design the colour scheme is blue, pink and grey as seen in the 3rd. photograph. There may be some other variations which I haven’t come across.

In a previous post on the work of Esteri Tomula for Arabia I wrote about how she was inspired by the flora of Finland which is certainly evident in this design, with its beautifully hand painted flowers and leaves, and delicate white “pearls” of enamel on some of the flowers.

This series seems to have consisted of decor items such as vases, boxes, decorative plates etc.

Arabia Fennica

Arabia Fennica photo via HarborModern Etsy