Anja Juurikkala Candle Holder

A stoneware footed candle holder by Anja Juurikkala, handmade in the art studio of Arabia, Finland, circa 1955.

The output from Arabia's studio pottery department during the mid-20th Century was defined by highly textural ceramics with thickly-applied glazes with a roughly organic aesthetic firmly grounded in the natural world. This exquisite footed candleholder by Anja Juurikkala diverges from this tradition, and conveys the artist's unique expression and subtle approach to form & colour with its smooth glaze & utilitarian form. 

The elegant shape of this functional piece displays a characteristically Nordic expression of Modernity, with its dual function and wonderful tactility. A reaction in the subtle brown glaze highlights the potter's finger marks in the clay, forming concentric rings of darker brown around the piece to gently highlight the sense of handmade object. Whilst this decorative element is understated, the bright-blue cobalt glaze, applied to the top of the object, is far bolder. Here, Anja has applied one of Arabia studio's iconic blue glazes to achieve a distinctive character & highly decorative effect.

Anja Juurikkala joined Arabia in 1946 where she designed predominantly slip-cast figurines for serial production, along with wonderfully illustrative hand-painted patterns for dinnerware depicting fish & other animals. Her studio pieces such as this piece, handmade by the artist herself, demonstrate her skill & precision at the potter's wheel.