Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Red Blue with Beeds, Arabia 1970s

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, that at the same time fought against the idealism of minimalism in 1950s, and the middle of the 20th century.
Kaipiainen introduced ceramic beads to his work in the 1960s, at which time the surface of the object became of more importance for his art.
This particular plate represents his 1970s and early 1980s work. The partly irridescent glaze makes the flowers and fruits look alive. The black glaze continues on the back.
Signed Kaipiainen Arabia. This dish is of such size, that it will definitely make a firm statement in whatever interior it decorates.