Posts from the ‘Norway’ Category

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

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.

Figgjo Norway “Sicilia” – Turi Gramstad Oliver

Figgjo “Sicilia” – Serving Platter – Turi Gramsted Oliver – Photo via RetroHygge Etsy

Figgjo Norway “Sicilia” – Turi Gramstad Oliver

Jul 18

Stavangerflint Sera – Inger Waage

This pattern caught my attention straight away, I thought it had to be a design by Inger Waage for Stavangerflint Norway, and my thoughts were correct. While Inger Waage is very well known for her iconic hand painted art-ware pottery, she also designed over 25 dinner ware designs, this being one of the better known designs.

The design is called “Sera” and was designed by Inger in 1968. It was in production for several years into the 1970s when more colourful designs became the fashion.

The forms that the “Sera” design sits on I find equally interesting, and they were used for several different designs at Stavangerflint during this era. The form designs were designed by Kåre Berven Fjeldsaa. The handles of the pots and jugs of this series of forms are quite different from anything else at the time, and they are so good in the hand – perfectly ergonomic and balanced. A lot of considered thought has gone into the form designs, which sadly we don’t see much after the 1970s in production ware.

If you want to learn more about Inger Waage and Stavangerflint there is an excellent facebook page HERE