Arabia Finland | C20Ceramics

Oct 5

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

Inkeri Leivo – Arabia Finland – Pudas Arctica

The design featured here is “Pudas Arctica” by Inkeri Leivo (1944-2010), which is a variation of her now 20th Century design classic “Arctica” – which is still in production today.

The design for Arctica began in 1975 and was in production by 1979. Pudas Arctica was in production up until c1981.

Arctica has continued to evolve, with new variations even now still being added by current designers.

Arctica was designed as a large dinner service including baking dishes, tureen etc. The design featured a slimmer and more elegant profile than previous Arabia designs due to new technologies.

The roundness of the design while being very contemporary, also alludes to the elegant forms of the 1930’s Art Deco era.

Inkeri had began her career in Arabia in 1971, and her clean, light and graceful designs were a change from the heavier forms coming out of Arabia Finland in the 1970s. Amongst others, Inkeri also designed the popular “Saaristo”, “Kombi” “Harlekiini” & “Uhtua” lines.

Arabia Finland “Venus”, Hilkka Liisa Ahola

What a stunning design. This is “Venus”, designed by Hillka Liisa Ahola for Arabia Finland c1965.

The design features a mandala like motif in deep blues and aquamarine, resembling batik patterns which were hugely popular at the time. It is very similar to a design Hilkka created for a series of wall tiles 1967-1973.

From what I can find out the series consisted of lidded jars and canisters, and flat cheese boards or trivets. I love the shape of the domed lids with their round handles in this series, which remind me of the forms of Midwinter Stonehenge which came a bit later.

It was in production from 1965 to 1976 and seems to be quite a rare design these days.