1969-1974; 1987-
“I only know Kaipianenish,” the artist stated once. – And that is just as well because Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) is one of the most exceptional ceramic artists to have worked for Arabia’s art department. Unique pieces were his forte but towards the end of the 1960s a tableware range designed by Kaipiainen – Paratiisi (Paradise) – was also unveiled. “All of that is actually still at the ideas stage. I am designing my own vegetable and fruit themes for its pattern, kind of like the ones on the platter on the wall there…” Kaipiainen became interested in the project after many years of coaxing. He wanted to transfer the mood of his unique pieces to the range, the tree of paradise and the oval shape of the platters. The aptly named Paratiisi was put into production in 1969. The pattern was realised in both colour and in black and white. The solid coloured pieces also received names appropriate to the theme: the yellow Aatami (Adam) and the white Eeva (Eve).

The later stages of the Paratiisi story could be out of a suspense story. The range was removed from the selection in 1974 when Arabia was going through a turbulent phase. An uproar ensued and Paratiisi and another beloved but abandoned range, Kaj Franck’s Kilta, were raised to the status of national heritage in the press. Later, both ranges were given a second chance, and for good reason. Kilta became Teema in 1980, the colour version of Paratiisi was put back into production in 1987 and in the autumn of 2000 it was the turn of the black and white pattern.