Arabia is one of Finland’s oldest and most highly regarded brands. Since 1873 Arabia designs have graced Finnish and homes around the world with beauty, quality, and practicality. Long-term, timeless pieces are Arabia’s key competencies. Their products mirror the times while preserving traditional Finnish design. They bring people together to enjoy good food and good company!
Arabia began its journey in 1874 with a factory on the outskirts of Helsinki, Finland producing porcelain, earthenware and different types of pottery. Within a few years, the value of their output comprised half of the total annual ceramics production in the country!
By the 1900s Arabia began to slowly form its product range and started producing its own models of stoves, vases, and tableware. Their collection was awarded a gold medal at the 1900 Paris World Fair! In 1910, ownership passed from Sweden to Finnish buyers and so began a period of vigorous growth!
Following WWII, Arabia began attracting its extremely talented pool of designers who would build the foundation for modern Arabia designs. These artists included Kaj Franck, Gunvor Olin-Gronquist, Liisa Hallamaa and Brita Heilimo. They were followed by Oiva Toikka, Francesca, and Richard Lindh. This team received numerous awards at the Milan Triennials. Other artists joining Arabia in the late 1950s included Kaarina Aho, Raija Uosikkinen, and Ulla Procope. The 1960s brought in another group of talented artists including Birger Kaipiainen, Goran Back, Helja Liukko-Sundstrom, Inkeri Leivo, Anja Jaatinen-Winquist and Peter Winquist. This trend continued throughout the 20th century and into the new millennium!
Arabia has received so many prizes and awards over the last 140 years as well as having its pieces selected for several glass and cutlery museums, the Finnish Presidential Residence and the Finnish Embassy in Washington, DC.
Like most other Scandinavian design brands, Arabia values ethics and responsible manufacturing process and materials resourcing. Sustainability is its cornerstone while producing long-lasting and functional products. Their mission is to enrich lives with long lasting products that increase enjoyment, solve everyday problems through their functionality, innovation, and design, taking care of people and the environment.
Currently, Arabia features the work of more than 20 artists: Inkeri Leivo, Pekka Harni, Kaj Franck, Pekka Paikkari, Tapio Yli-Viikari, Heini Riitahuhta, Kati Tuominen-Niittyla, Tove Slotte, Helorinne & Kallio, Markku Salo, Kristina Riska, Heikki Orvola, Helja Liukko-Sundstrom, Nathalie Lahdenmaki, Birger Kaipiainen, Fujiwo Ishimoto, Piia Keto, Pattern Bakery, Pentagon Design, Miira Zukale and Vincent Bakkum.
Arabia’s product line in the United States features the Moomin tableware: mugs, plates and bowls
