MUG

This is a mug produced by ARABIA's art department.
It is presumed to be from around 1957 to 1961.
The signature is 'ARABIA KS'.
*In good condition with no noticeable damage.

KYLLIKKI SALMENHAARA｜Kyllikki Salmenhaara｜1915–1981｜FINLAND

Kyllikki Salmenhaara was one of the most distinguished ceramists in 20th-century Finnish ceramics, who elevated exceptional wheel-throwing skills to the realm of art. She dedicated her life 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 demonstrated her talent early on, winning top awards in internal school competitions while still a student.

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

After working at Sakari Vapaavuori's studio, she joined Arabia in 1947. Initially, she worked as an assistant to Olga Osol, who was in charge 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 ceramic clay and glazes, and firing techniques, she created works characterized by glaze expressions that leverage material texture and powerful forms created on the potter's wheel.

In 1956, she stayed in the United States, and it is believed that her exposure to the burgeoning studio ceramics movement led to her subsequent free and powerful expressive forms.

Her work also received high international acclaim, winning awards at the Milan Triennale: a silver medal in 1951, an honorable mention in 1954, a Grand Prix in 1957, and a gold medal in 1960. She received an award every time she exhibited.

She left Arabia after an accident during production where she injured her finger with a blade mixed in the clay. 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 Helsinki University of Art and Design.

In 1974, she published "Keramiikka," a book summarizing her years of research and experience. This book, which systematically compiled information on ceramic materials, wheel-throwing techniques, clay and glaze preparation, 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｜Arabia｜1873 –｜FINLAND

Arabia was established 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, the world's largest tunnel kiln at the time, stretching 112 meters, was introduced, establishing efficient production and mass production systems. This led to Arabia's development into one of Europe's leading ceramics factories.

In 1932, Kurt Ekholm became the 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 major characteristic of Arabia is that product development was carried out through the interrelationship of three areas: the art department, the applied arts department, and the product design department.

The art department included Toini Muona, Friedl Kjellberg, Michael Schilkin, Birger Kaipiainen, Rut Bryk, and Kyllikki Salmenhaara. Their works gained international recognition from the 1930s, contributing to the cultural aspect of Arabia, and played 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 movement that spread in Northern Europe in the 1930s, Ekholm introduced 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 pushed for innovation in product design. The Kilta series, released in 1953, featuring simple geometric forms and versatility, achieved great success as innovative modern design tableware.

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