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)
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Plate in Yellow Blue, & Beeds, Arabia 1970s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is a beautiful unique ceramic plate decorated with multiple beadings and it is a good example of the artists skill to use colours and fine iridescent glaze dots and details on t...
Ceramic, Beads
Unique Birger Kaipiainen "Lucky" Dish, Four Leaf Clover, Arabia, 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful small and unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in Finland in the 1970s. The plate is decorated with multiple four-leaf clovers, three-leaf clover...
Ceramic
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Ananas & 4 leaf Clover Dish, Arabia, 1960s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in Finland in the late 1950s - 1960s. The plate features a purple ananas filled with four-leaf clovers, ...
Ceramic
Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Plums and Berries, Arabia 1970s
By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen (1915–1988) is celebrated as a master of decorative ceramics, renowned for his richly colored and ornamental works. Drawing from fantasy and fairytales, his art sto...
Metal
Large Surreal Green Garden Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief Rörstrand 1950s
By Rörstrand, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring hand-painted flowers & women, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent onl...
Faience
Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Red Blue with Beeds, Arabia 1970s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) was the master of decorative ceramics. He was well known for his rich and colourful ornamental dishes, with themes from the fantasy world and fairytales...
Ceramic
Birger Kaipiainen Butterfly Ceramic Platter for Arabia, Signed, Finland, 1982
By Arabia of Finland, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in PARIS, FR
Birger Kaipiainen ceramic "Butterfly" platter produced for the Arabia Art Department in Finland, 1982. Signed by the artist and numbered 132/300 from the limited edition series. Th...
Ceramic, Porcelain
1970s Vallauris Yellow and Black Ceramic Catchall Three Compartments
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1970s Vallauris Yellow and Black Ceramic Catchall – Three Compartments with Lemon Motif – France Description: This is a vibrant ceramic catchall made in France, in the Vallauris reg...
Ceramic
Italian Yellow Pottery Ashtray or Catchall Bitossi Netter
By Bitossi, Rosenthal Netter
Located in New York, NY
An Italian yellow pottery ashtray with flower center and lip for cigarette, Mid-Century Modern Italian period, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Pott...
Pottery
Aldo Londi Bitossi Yellow Onion Ashtray Italy Pottery Dish Rosanthal Netter
By Rosenthal Netter, Aldo Londi
Located in Lake Worth, FL
The Aldo Londi Bitossi Yellow Onion Ashtray is a beautifully crafted piece of Italian pottery produced in Italy by Rosenthal Netter. This original ashtray features a vibrant yellow c...
Pottery
Platter or Tray Metal painted France 1970s Yellow Color with Flowers
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Platter or Tray Metal painted France 1970s Yellow Color with Flowers
Metal
Mid-Century French Faience Quimper Yellow Oyster Plate
By Henriot Quimper
Located in Austin, TX
French faience black and yellow oyster plate signed Quimper, circa 1940.
Ceramic, Faience
