Birger Kaipiainen was a Finnish ceramist and designer. He is one of the most successful and well-known ceramic artists in Finland.
Kaipiainen graduated from the School of Arts & Crafts (later known as the Aalto School of Arts of Helsinki). After graduation he went to work for Finnish ceramics company Arabia in 1937, and later in 1954 for their Swedish sister company Rörstrand.
Kaipiainen worked as a designer for Arabia for over fifty years. As a child he suffered from polio and was consequently unable to use a pottery wheel. It was said that his illness heightened his artistic sensitivity.
Kaipiainen was nicknamed “the king of decorators” for his nostalgic, romantic and highly decorative ceramic designs at a time when minimalism was the prevailing trend in Finnish ceramics. He is known for repeatedly using the same signature nature-inspired motifs, such as violets and curlews.
The recipient of many awards, honorary titles, and a doctorate, Kaipiainen won a Grand Prix at the Triennale di Milano in 1951 and was awarded the prestigious Pro Finlandia medal in 1963.
Find vintage Birger Kaipiainen ceramics, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Connaisseurs Fine Art & Jewelry)
Decorative Blue Dish with Gold Beads designed by Birger Kaipianen, 1980s
By Arabia of Finland, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Værløse, DK
Decorative Blue Dish with gold beads designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in the 1984. * Oval Hand-Painted Blue Dish with pocket watches, flower and butterfly motives and gold ...
Ceramic
Large Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand in Limited Edition 294/500
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Exceptional and beautiful large platter designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand in limited edition, number 294/500. Decor with apples, plums and bunches of grapes. Birger Kaipiainen has been called "the master of ceramics" and "the undisputed ruler of decorative art". Highlights of iridescent glaze. The platter is in mint condition. No sign of use. Birger Kaipiainen began his career at the Arabia Art Department in 1937 and quickly found his own way to make art. The soon-to-begin Winter War and several losses in his personal life cast a dark shadow over the beginning of his artistic career, and this manifested as sadness and longing in his early works. They are dominated by ethereal, fairy-tale-like characters depicted in pastel tones, with references to early Italian Renaissance and longing for a more beautiful world. Kaipiainen graduated from the School of Arts & Crafts (later known as the Aalto School of Arts of Helsinki). After graduation he went to work for Finnish ceramics...
Porcelain, Stoneware
Birger Kaipiainen Ceramic Plate with Flower and Beaded Detailing Rörstrand
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
This beautifully glazed stoneware plate, measuring 25 x 23 cm, is a stunning example of Birger Kaipiainen’s artistry, featuring intricate bead details and a lustrous glaze. The decor...
Stoneware
Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Ceramic Table Clock, Flower and Beeds, Arabia 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen had a thing for clock´s. Frequently in his decorative dishes he had clock`s that were always pointing to 12:15. Now here is the whole thing. In perfect working orde...
Ceramic
1950s Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand ARO Bowl
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A ceramic bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand circa 1950s. Gorgeous glaze and great movement with the bowl, this could work in a variety of interiors. Other notable ceramic...
Ceramic
$158Sale Price|59% Off
H 0.89 in Dm 7.87 in
Ceramic plate by Olle Alberius from the 'Kurbits' Series for Rörstrand, Sweden.
By Olle Alberius, Rörstrand
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A very nice little vintage ceramic plate, made by the very well-known designer Olle Alberius, known as "Kurbits" from Rörstrand, Sweden. Alberius ceramic always has a special feeling, the shapes are simple, but the glazing is just stunning, the pattern is slightly abstract, yet knowing that Alberius has used a traditional style of folklore decoration known as Kurbits, one can see where he got his inspiration from. All off his objects are individual since they are hand painted. The price includes free shipping. The color is just stunning a dark blue color has been used against a pale gray background and there are also some dark brown and purple details as well as black details. It is around 20cm (7.87") in diameter and 2,5cm (0.98") high. It is in a very good condition. Between the years 1957 - 1965, Olle Alberius worked in Strömstad as a designer at SYCO keramik, where he created a large number of dishes, figurines, vases and bowls. He later works at Rörstrand, and between 1963 and 1965 he was employed at both SYCO keramik and Rörstrand. Alberius was attached to Rörstrand's Porcelain Factory in 1963–1971, where he worked partly with handicrafts and partly with tableware in flint and feldspar porcelain...
Ceramic
Aluminum Wall Clock from the 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Aluminum frame with battery movement. Used but still in a good condition, made in Germany in the 1970s.
Aluminum
$1,430Sale Price|24% Off
H 4.5 in W 6.5 in D 2.5 in
Vintage Tiffany and Co. Square Brass Desk Clock, 1970s
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome 8 day, Swiss jeweled Tiffany and Co. square desk clock in patinated brass with stepped dial frame and two-tiered base. Face pivots between f...
Brass
$9,600
H 2.37 in W 18.12 in D 16.93 in
Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia. Large square ceramic dish with floral decoration.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Birger Kaipiainen (1915–1988) for Arabia. Large square ceramic dish with floral decoration. Decorated with characteristic, stylised flowers in blue, turquoise, and black on a white ...
Ceramic
Unavailable|$990
H 1.19 in W 16.54 in D 10.24 in
Decorative Ceramic Tray by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Sylvia Leuchovius
Located in Goteborg, SE
Decorative tray by the Swedish artist Sylvia Leuchovius. (1915-2003). Leuchovius was one of Rörstrands most prolific artists for almost 30 years. This tray is a typical example of he...
Ceramic
1970s Vintage Light Blue Metal Alarm Clock - Decorative Object
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Alarm Clock is a decorative object realized in the 1970s. A vintage clock light blue colored. The perfect gift for a jump to the past. N...
Metal
Rare Midcentury Table or Desk Clock, 1970s
By Memphis Milano
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare type - functional
Metal
Willy Rizzo Lumica Clock Bicolor 1970s
By BD Lumica, Willy Rizzo
Located in Cork, IE
This is a rare find! We are delighted to bring this glamourous 1970's cubic mantle clock designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by Lumica to the market. In overall good condition wit...
Brass, Chrome
Decorative Porcelain Plate by Porcelaine de Paris, Leopards, 1980s
By Porcelaine de Paris
Located in Vilnius, LT
Large decorative porcelain plate by Porcelaine de Paris, 'Décor, Chasses Royales'. The plate is in glazed porcelain, hand painted with leopards and gold decorated edge. Marked on th...
Porcelain
Handmade Round Ceramic Wall Clock, Mid-Century Modern, Germany, 1970s
Located in München, DE
Beautiful round ceramic wall clock from 1970s. Very high-quality and beautifully crafted in rich brown tones. Typical to the period. Handmade. Made in Germany. Battery-operated. The ...
Ceramic
Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand Stoneware Bowl
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming bowl designed by Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand. Bowl features an emerald green body with a yellowish/gold rim. A very ...
Stoneware
Sold
H 2.76 in Dm 13 in
Birger Kaipiainen Ceramic Wall Plate with Pansies and Fruit Motif, Finland 1960s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in New York, NY
A striking ceramic wall plate by Birger Kaipiainen, among the most celebrated and imaginative figures in post-war Nordic ceramics. Executed with Kaipiainen’s characteristic blend of...
Ceramic
Sold
H 24.5 in W 23.5 in D 6.25 in
Large Birger Kaipiainen Ceramic Wall Piece for Arabia, Mint Condition
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very large Birger Kaipiainen ceramic wall sculpture. Condition is virtually perfect. Stunning Mid-Century Modern design.
Ceramic
Sold
H 18.12 in W 16.93 in D 13.78 in
Big Decorative Ceramic Plate 'Viola 1967" -Arabia Finland- by Birger Kaipiainen
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Turku, Finland
Decorative ceramic plate marked 'Viola 1967, Arabia Finland, Kaipiainen Invenit', numbered 917/3000. Design by Birger Kaipiainen (Finland, 1915-1988). Viola (a flower, violet in Latin) features a beautiful black and blue glazing on a viola-shaped wall plate. “Sea of Violets” was the artwork by Kaipiainen for Expo 67...
Ceramic
Dish by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1970’s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware. Unique. Measures: D: 25.5 cm/ 10" H: 4 cm/ 1 1/2".
Stoneware
Sculpture Designed by Birger Kaipianen for Arabia, Finland, 1970’s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware. Signed. Measures: H: 21 cm/ 8 1/4" D: 15 cm/ 6".
Stoneware
Sold
H 19.49 in W 27.76 in D 1.97 in
Monumental Dish Designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Monumental dish designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland. 1960s. Stoneware. Measurements: L: 70.5 cm/ 2' 4'' H: 49.5 cm/ 19 1/2''
Stoneware
Sold
H 29.14 in W 4.93 in D 1.97 in
Wall Sculpture Designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Unique. Provenance: Kurt Ekholm (1907-1975), Art Director at Arabia from 1932 to 1948 Literature: Kaipiainen, Maria Berg, similar models p. 48-49.
Stoneware