MUG

This is a mug created in ARABIA's art department.
It is presumed to be a work from around 1957 to 1960.
The signature is "ARABIA KS."
*In good condition with no noticeable damage.

KYLLIKKI SALMENHAARA｜1915–1981｜FINLAND

Kyllikki Salmenhaara is one of the most distinguished ceramists in 20th-century Finnish ceramics, who elevated her exceptional throwing techniques to an art form. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to the study and education of ceramics.

From 1938, she majored in ceramics under Elsa Elenius at the Central School of Arts and Crafts. She showed her talent early on, winning top prizes in school contests even while still a student.

After graduation, she worked as a glass designer at Kauklahti Glassworks for three years. In 1946, she studied glaze research at Saxbo in Denmark, receiving guidance from Nathalie Krebs, a renowned glaze chemist. The experience in glaze research gained here became the foundation for the unique glaze expressions seen in her later works.

After passing through Sakari Vapaavuori's studio, she joined Arabia in 1947. Initially, she worked as an assistant to Olga Osol, head of the applied arts department, but in 1950, she moved to the art department, where she remained until 1961. While conducting research on the composition of clay and glazes, firing, and other aspects, she created works characterized by glaze expressions that leveraged the texture of the materials and powerful forms created on the potter's wheel.

In 1956, she stayed in the United States and was exposed to the emerging studio ceramics movement, which is said to have led to her subsequent free and powerful expressive forms.

Her works were highly acclaimed internationally, and she received awards at every Milan Triennale she exhibited at: a silver medal in 1951, an honorable mention in 1954, a Grand Prix in 1957, and a gold medal in 1960.

She left Arabia after an accident during production where she injured her finger on a sharp object mixed into the clay, and from 1961, she became involved in ceramic education at a university in Taiwan. From 1963 until her death in 1981, she worked as an educator and researcher at the School of Art and Design and the University of Art and Design Helsinki.

In 1974, she published her book "Keramiikka," which summarized her years of research and experience. This book, which systematically compiled information on ceramic materials, throwing techniques, clay and glaze compositions, and firing, had a significant impact on ceramic education and research in Finland.

Through her works, research, and educational activities, Salmenhaara left a significant mark on 20th-century Finnish ceramics.

ARABIA｜1873 –｜FINLAND

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

In 1929, one of the world's largest tunnel kilns at the time, stretching 112 meters, was introduced, establishing production efficiency and a mass production system. This led Arabia to develop into one of Europe's leading ceramics factories.

In 1932, Kurt Ekholm was appointed art director and organized Arabia's artistic activities into an art department. He established a creative environment for artists, fostering a system where products and art pieces developed in parallel.

A major characteristic of Arabia is that product development was carried out through the interaction of three departments: the art department, the applied arts department, and the product design department.

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

In the 1940s, Friedl Kjellberg developed Rice Porcelain using the "hotarude" (firefly-hand) technique. Mass production began in 1950, and it became a long-selling product until 1974, receiving high international acclaim as Arabia's representative artistic porcelain.

Against the backdrop of the functionalism trend that spread 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, advanced the refresh of product design. The Kilta series, launched in 1953, achieved great success as innovative modern design tableware characterized by simple geometric forms and versatility.

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