MUG

This is a mug created in ARABIA's art department.
It is a powerful piece with a thick base that serves as the center of gravity, from which the strong throwing marks rise.
The sculptural quality of the wide, stable handle that smoothly connects to the cup is also a characteristic of her work.
It is presumed to be a work 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 potters of 20th century Finnish ceramics, who elevated exceptional throwing techniques to the realm of art. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to the research 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 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 guidance of Nathalie Krebs, a renowned glaze chemist. The experience she gained in glaze research there formed 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 then the head of the applied arts department, but in 1950, she moved to the art department and remained there until 1961. While conducting research on the composition of ceramic clay and glazes, and firing techniques, she created works characterized by glaze expressions that utilize the texture of the materials and powerful forms created by throwing.

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

Her work was highly acclaimed internationally, and at the Milan Triennale, she won a silver medal in 1951, an honorable mention in 1954, a Grand Prix in 1957, and a gold medal in 1960, winning awards in every exhibition she participated in.

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

In 1974, she published her book "Keramiikka," which compiled her years of research and experience. This book, which systematically organized ceramic materials, throwing techniques, clay and glaze compounding, 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, a 112-meter-long tunnel kiln, one of the largest in the world at the time, was introduced, establishing production efficiency and a mass production system. This led to Arabia's development into one of Europe's leading ceramics factories.

In 1932, Kurt Ekholm was appointed art director, and he organized Arabia's artistic activities into an art department. He created a production environment for artists, establishing a system that allowed for the parallel development of products and art pieces.

A major characteristic of Arabia is that its three divisions—the art department, the applied art department, and the product design department— collaborated in product development.

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 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 "hotarude" (firefly hand) technique. Mass production began in 1950, and it became a long-selling product that continued until 1974, receiving high international acclaim as Arabia's representative artistic porcelain.

Against the backdrop of functionalism that spread in Northern Europe 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 the company as a designer, and together with Kaarina Aho and Ulla Procopé, he promoted the renewal of product design. The Kilta series, released in 1953, achieved great success as innovative modern design tableware characterized by simple geometric forms and versatility.

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