PITCHER (BLUE) 1621

A model designed in 1955 and manufactured from 1955 to 1968.
Following the success of the KILTA series launched by Arabia in 1953, Kaj Franck began to incorporate simple geometric forms into his designs at Nuutajärvi as well.
This pitcher, a combination of a sphere and a cylinder, is one such example.

Around the mid-1960s, the design was changed to a more stable form with a slightly wider sphere, but this is an early model.
The handle-less structure was intended to be rational, reducing costs through simplified manufacturing, mitigating the risk of breakage, and saving space during transport and storage.
It is a pitcher that embodies functional beauty, born from problem-solving.

It is formed by blow molding (swirl blowing), and individual differences can be seen in size, glass thickness, and spout shape.
*It is in good condition with no noticeable damage.

KAJ FRANCK｜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 graduation, he worked in a wide range of fields including furniture, interior design, and textiles.

In 1945, at the request of Kurt Ekholm, he was invited to Arabia as chief designer and was responsible for revamping tableware essential for post-war daily life. In 1946, he became a glass designer at Iittala after winning an award in a Karhula-Iittala competition, but in 1950, he transferred to Nuutajärvi, which had become a group company under Wärtsilä, the same umbrella as Arabia, and as director, he began designing glassware with a shared philosophy with Arabia.

Kaj Franck's design philosophy, often referred to as "the conscience of Finland," is based on the ideas of "design for the masses" and "the social responsibility of the designer." Through simple geometric forms and expression through color stripped of ornamentation, he designed many universal products that could be used for a long time.

Arabia's KILTA (now TEEMA) series and Nuutajärvi's Tumbler 5027 (now KARTIO) series are long-selling products that continue to be manufactured by Iittala today. At the same time, Franck also created numerous highly artistic unique glass 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).