"KILTA" EGG RING (BROWN) A

The KILTA series was launched in 1953 and manufactured until 1974.
Under the slogan "Down with the dinner set," all superfluous elements were eliminated, resulting in a functional and minimalist design that was multi-purpose and easy to harmonize with other tableware.
This is a masterpiece by KAJ FRANCK, who started a "kitchen revolution" when it was launched at a time when decorative dinner sets with pre-determined uses for each piece were mainstream.

This is the A model egg ring, which was added to the KILTA series in 1955.
*It is in good condition with no noticeable damage.

KAJ FRANCK｜1911–1989｜FINLAND

Kaj Franck is one of the most prominent designers of 20th-century Finnish modern design. He studied under Arttu Brummer at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Helsinki (now Aalto University). After graduating, he worked in a wide range of fields including furniture, interior design, and textiles.

In 1945, at the request of Kurt Ekholm, he was appointed chief designer at Arabia and was responsible for revitalizing tableware, which was essential for daily life after the war. In 1946, he became a glass designer at Iittala after winning an award in the Karhula-Iittala competition. However, in 1950, he moved to Nuutajärvi, a group company under Wärtsilä, the same umbrella as Arabia, and as director, began designing glassware based on shared principles with Arabia.

Kaj Franck's design philosophy, also known as "the conscience of Finland," is based on the idea of "design for the masses" and "the social responsibility of designers." He designed many timeless products that can be used for a long time, characterized by simple geometric forms and color expressions devoid of ornamentation.

The KILTA (now TEEMA) series from Arabia and the Tumbler 5027 (now KARTIO) series from Nuutajärvi are long-selling products that continue to be manufactured by Iittala today. At the same time, Franck also created many unique glass art pieces at Nuutajärvi using an artisanal approach, showcasing his artistic side.

From 1960, he also engaged in education at the Helsinki School of Art and Design (now Aalto University), greatly influencing Finnish design education. He received numerous awards, including the Lunning Prize (1955), the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale (1957), and the Compasso d'Oro Award (1957).

ARABIA｜1873 –｜FINLAND

Arabia was founded in 1873 as a subsidiary of the Swedish ceramics manufacturer Rörstrand in the Arabia district on the outskirts of Helsinki, and began operations the following year in 1874. In 1916, it separated from Rörstrand's capital and became an independent Finnish company.

In 1929, a 112-meter-long tunnel kiln, one of the largest in the world at the time, was introduced, establishing efficient production and a mass production system. This led Arabia to develop into one of Europe's leading ceramic factories.

In 1932, Kurt Ekholm was appointed art director, organizing artistic activities at Arabia into an art department. He created an environment for artists to work and established a system for developing both products and art pieces in parallel.

A significant characteristic of Arabia is that its product development has involved the interplay of three areas: the art department, the applied arts department, and the product design department.

Toini Muona, Friedl Kjellberg, Michael Schilkin, Birger Kaipiainen, Rut Bryk, and Kyllikki Salmenhaara participated in the art department. Their works gained international recognition from the 1930s, contributing to Arabia's cultural aspect and playing an important role in the development of Finnish ceramics.

In the 1940s, Friedl Kjellberg developed Rice Porcelain using the rice grain technique. Mass production began in 1950 and continued as a long-seller until 1974, receiving high international acclaim as Arabia's representative artistic porcelain.

Against the backdrop of functionalism spreading in the Nordic countries in the 1930s, Ekholm launched the AR series (SINIVALKO) tableware in 1935, setting the direction for later Nordic modern design.

In 1945, Kaj Franck joined as a designer, and together with Kaarina Aho and Ulla Procopé, he promoted the renewal of product design. The Kilta series, launched in 1953, featuring simple geometric forms and versatility, achieved great success as innovative modern tableware.

Arabia boasts numerous awards since the 1930s, but especially in the 1950s at the Milan Triennale (1951, 1954, 1957), many products by designers, in addition to works by artists from the art department, also received awards, establishing its global reputation.