Over the next few weeks, we’ll be rolling out some new columns which will appear from time to time here on the Anthology site. Our first new column is called Object Found; it is a chance for us to provide a little extra information on some of the objects that appear among the pages of the magazine.
The first Object Found is this charming enamel bowl from the home of Randi Brookman Harris. The bowl was designed in the 1960s by Kaj Franck for the Finnish ceramic company Arabia. Franck was a very well-known Finnish designer, and after becoming the director of Arabia’s nascent design department in 1945, Franck quickly expanded the company’s design team and modernized production techniques, helping Arabia to flourish throughout the era.
The heart mixing bowl is one of several enamelware designs that Franck produced during this period. His whimsical, graphic patterns are truly timeless, and these enamel bowls are highly coveted items to this day. Luckily, at any given time you are likely to find a few of these enamel bowls and many other mid-century Arabia products available on sites like eBay and Etsy. With a little patience and luck, you can be like Randi and celebrate the acquisition of your very own genuine Kaj Franck bowl.
Arabia’s ceramic production in the 1900s.
Another Kaj Franck enamel mixing bowl from the 1960s.
I grew up eating salads served from an Arabia mushroom bowl identical to this one, and I can attest to the durability and beauty of these bowls. Anyone want to share their story about a Kaj Franck piece? We’re all ears!
{Images, from top: Anthology, Dot Dot Dot Shop ,The Best Thing, Arabia, Lucky Little Dot, and H is for Home}
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
this is a really lovely idea. informative and smart without being dry. can’t wait for more.
Thank you for the great feedback Erin! We’re really excited for this and the other new content we’ve planned. Stay tuned for the other new columns; they should be coming out over the next few weeks!
I love this idea for a new column on the blog! And I love that bowl!
I have the heart bowl, too! I picked it up at a Goodwill outside of Portland, Oregon for less than $2. It was lonely and abandoned on a shelf filled with tupperware. Of course, at the time I knew nothing of its origin or value–just that I adored the graphic heart pattern. Now that I’ve done my research, I’m even more happy that I rescued it from the heap! Thanks for the great history lesson.
Great column! I can’t wait to see what else you ‘find’.
I grew up with the mushroOm enamel bowl in the famiLy kitchen, it is still there. I love it and alwaYs have … b x
gosh, how lovely to find out the history behind this design! i picked up two heart plates from goodwill in seattle, i can hardly believe i ‘ummmed and arrrrhed’ before putting one of them back… did i really do such a thing, have no idea what i was thinking at the time.
this column is a grand idea!
Fab! Really like the idea of this feature – look forward to reading some more. And I’m really envious of all you people who own one of this design! eBay here I come…
Growing up, my mom had the heart bowl in our kitchen. I was just a little girl who loved hearts and rainbows, so the bowl was alright with me. She still has it and now I see how elegant it is – such a timeless piece.
I have two of Franck’s Arabia pitchers in my Etsy shop. I hadn’t heard of him before I found those items, but when researching them, I loved seeing his past work and how he used such bold pattern and color. Definitely the reason I’m drawn to it. The designs on the enamel bowls are especially awesome.
I adore the heart mixing bowl and this new column. I love that you’re uncovering hidden gems from pages and posts that make my heart sing.
Thank you Alexis! We’re so glad you like what you see…we promise to keep it coming!
My parents have this exact bowl and I’ve grown up eating salad out of it.
Molly, we are Kaj Franck salad buddies! I wonder how many of us grew up eating salad out of these bowls..we should start a facebook group or something :)
My wife had two Kaj Franck bowls, one of the mushroom design and one blue bowl with a series of white dots on it. When we had a garage sale, she sold the mushroom one. I use the one we have left every time I bake or we mix a salad. tonight I found and purchased two more. I love these bowls!
I also grew up eating salad out of that wonderful mushroom bowl! My Mother is 83 and still serves salad from it. It is a cherished memory and I was thrilled to read that it is similarly meaningful to others. Thanks for this post about an iconic designer!
Thank you for this beautiful column!
I’m from Finland and these heart bowls have always been in my life. They are from my grandma and very precious to me… and before today I never though about, who designed them. Oh dear.. I feel so lucky to have them. My grandma always used the bigger one for sweet berry soup at my summer cottage, oh what a beautiful memories they bring to my mind. <3
I came across the mushroom bowl at a local auction and fell in love with it immediately. I put a bid on it and won it for only $2!! I accidently came across similar bowls being sold on Etsy and Ebay for $75-$100. Are there ‘fake’ versus ‘real’ bowls out there? How can I tell if I have an authentic bowl? The only marking is on the bottom of the bowl “FINEL, made in Finland”.
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