Designer
|
Ulla Procopé (1921-1968)
|
Maker
|
Arabica
|
Marks
|
Stamped
“Arabica Finland” to base
Flame motif
above
|
Material
|
Glazed
stoneware
|
Description
|
Mould formed, heavy brown matte glazed to inside
and outside of bowl. Indented pourer
to outside of rim. Flattened rim
extending outwards from bowl.
Hollowed straight stem handle angled slightly upward from outside of
rim. Unglazed flat circular base.
|
Condition
|
Very Good
|
Number
|
No number
|
Production
Date
|
Late 1960s
|
Width at rim
|
130mm
|
Width at Base
|
65mm
|
Depth
|
43mm
|
Length (with
handle)
|
192mm
|
Weight
|
288gm
|
Volume
|
250ml
|
Acquisition
|
Mill
Antiques, Daylesford Victoria.
18 Dec 2016
|
Rameking
Reference Number
|
ARA 001
|
This ramekin is shown in the Arabia catalogue as a
“Sauce Boat”.. It is more appropriately
considered a “saucier”, or as they refer to them in some of their literature as
“open sauce boats.” The closest in
design to those in a catalogue is the “Ruska” design. This isn’t one, but is similar, so it was probably made in the
1970’s.
The Arabia factory was set up near Helsinki,
Finland, in 1873 by the Swedish company Rörstrand. They
chose Finland for its close proximity to Russia, where they wanted to expand
their market. Within a few years the Arabia factory was producing half of
Finland's total ceramics output. The Arabia factory was managed by Gustav
Herlitz who had previously worked for Rörstrand in Sweden. The range of wares
was expanded to include art pottery, domestic and utility wares, sanitary
wares, tiles and even bricks.
During the first World War Arabia passed into
Finnish ownership and by the outbreak of the second World War was larger than
any producer of porcelain in Europe in terms of output. Expansion continued during the war and into
the second half of the twentieth century. Affiliations were forged with other
companies and by the end of the century Arabia and Rörstrand were again part of
the same group. Rather than me stealing
from their website, it is probably better if you go there and see their story
for yourself.
The designer of 'Ruska' series was
Ulla Procopé (1921-1968), who worked for Arabia from 1948 to 1968.
She's also creator of the beautiful and
practical - unfortunately also discontinued - fireproof 'Liekki' (Flame)
series, (see next para) and the gorgeous hand-painted
'Valencia', 'Anemone', 'Rosmariini', 'Koralli' and the colorful
'Purpurinjenkka' pattern. Production of
'Ruska' discontinued in 1999.
The stamp to the base is not shown in
any of the lists for Arabia. Above the
three crenelated crown is a flame motif.
The stamp is only partial and the word “Arabia” is only partially
legible. This sauce-boat is most likely
from the later part of her career. The
simplicity of design is classic scandinavian.
