"KILTA" PLATE (BLUE) BA 197mm

The KILTA series was launched in 1953 and manufactured until 1974.
Under the slogan "Confuse the dinner set," it eliminated all waste, allowing one piece to be used for multiple purposes and easily harmonizing with other tableware, resulting in a functional and minimalist design.
It is a masterpiece by KAJ FRANCK, who launched a "kitchen revolution" in an era dominated by decorative dinner sets, each with a specific purpose.

This is a 197mm plate from the BA model.
*In good condition with no noticeable damage. 

KAJ FRANCK｜1911–1989｜FINLAND

Kaj Franck was one of the leading designers of 20th-century Finnish modern design. He studied under Arttu Brummer at the Central School of Art and Design in Helsinki (now Aalto University). After graduating, he worked in a wide range of fields, including furniture, interiors, and textiles.

In 1945, he was appointed chief designer at Arabia at the request of Kurt Ekholm and was responsible for revamping tableware necessary for post-war daily life. In 1946, he became a glass designer at Iittala after winning an award in a competition held by Karhula-Iittala. However, in 1950, he moved to Nuutajärvi, a group company under Wärtsilä, which also owned Arabia, and began designing glassware with a common philosophy as a director for both companies.

Kaj Franck's design philosophy, also known as "the conscience of Finland," is based on the ideas of "design for the masses" and "the social responsibility of designers." He designed numerous universal products that could be used for a long time, using simple geometric forms and colors devoid of ornamentation.

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 many highly artistic unique glass pieces at Nuutajärvi using an artisanal approach, which reveals his artistic side.

From 1960, he was also involved in education at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture in Helsinki (now Aalto University), having a significant influence on 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).

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 broke away from Rörstrand's capital and became an independent Finnish company.

In 1929, the world's largest tunnel kiln at the time, measuring 112 meters in length, was introduced, establishing efficient production and mass production systems. This allowed 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 created an environment for artists to work and established a system for developing products and art pieces in parallel.

A major characteristic of Arabia is that its product development has involved the interaction of three areas: the art department, the applied art 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 recognition from the 1930s onwards, contributing to Arabia's cultural aspect and playing a significant 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 the functionalism movement that spread in Northern Europe in the 1930s, Ekholm launched the AR series (SINIVALKO) tableware in 1935, setting the direction for future Nordic modern design.

In 1945, Kaj Franck joined as a designer, and together with Kaarina Aho and Ulla Procopé, he pushed for the renewal of product design. The Kilta series, launched in 1953, achieved great success as innovative modern design tableware characterized by its simple geometric forms and versatility.

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