Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg Tea Bowl

A small yet highly decorative porcelain tea bowl by Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg, handmade at Arabia, Finland, circa 1955.

The interior of this delicate piece has been glazed with a vibrant turquoise blue. The intense colour has been achieved with a highly pigmented yet semi-transparent gloss glaze, which allows the white of the porcelain to shine through. In high contrast, a matte dark brown has been applied to the bowl’s exterior. Although uniform in colour, the glaze has visible brushstrokes which contributes to the handmade character of this object. The bowl’s rim is beautifully highlighted with a delicate line of bright white. 

The combination of brown & blue glazes is somewhat a signature of Arabia’s art studio, where this item was produced.

Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg worked at Arabia between 1924 and 1970. She was greatly influneced by Chinese ceramics, and her most famous work includes the ‘Rice’ series of tableware which was produced in great quantity. In the latter half of her career, Holder-Kjellberg began experimenting with glazes in Arabia’s art studio. Unique pieces from this period are highly collectable.