FRIEDL HOLZER-KJELLBERG｜1905–1993｜AUSTRIA
Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg was an Austrian ceramic artist. After studying ceramics at an Austrian school of arts and crafts, she began her career at Arabia in 1924. She was among the early members of Arabia’s Art Department, which was organized by Kurt Ekholm in 1932 and fully established as a department when Ekholm became its director the following year. From 1948 to 1950, she also served as director of the department.
During her 46 years at Arabia, Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg worked primarily as an artist in the Art Department while also contributing to the creation and development of her best-known work, Rice Porcelain. So successful was the series that a dedicated department was established for its production. After extensive experimentation throughout the 1930s, the first Rice Porcelain pieces were presented in 1942. Once the technique had been adapted for larger-scale production, the series was manufactured from 1950 to 1974 and came to be internationally recognized as one of Arabia’s defining artistic porcelains.
Her work in the Art Department is distinguished by refined, understated forms inspired by Chinese ceramics, especially Song dynasty wares, and by elegant glaze effects such as celadon, oxblood, and peacock blue.
Holzer-Kjellberg received a gold medal at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1935 and a silver medal at the Paris World’s Fair in 1937. At the Milan Triennale, she was awarded a silver medal in 1933 and a gold medal in 1954. In 1962, she was also awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in recognition of her artistic achievements.
