AARIKKA SALT & PEPPER FINLAND

Aarikka is a house-hold name in Finland. It has been around since 1954 when Kaija Aarikka began making buttons and wooden products as a home business. It was these wooden objects and the quality of their finish that established her reputation.
When I first saw this little cruet I was taken with the simplicity of the design but also by the sculptural qualities of the little set. I actually use it and am reminded of the wooden toy building blocks of my childhood. But there is a touch of Memphis about it as well! I've seen some other versions of this set with painted salt and peppers.
The sphere is a recurring theme in Aarikka designs. Over the last fifty-odd years Kaija has moved into other areas of the applied arts. Some of her silver jewellery has added polished wooden spheres. There is a bowl by Karhula called "Aarika" that is on the 'wish list'.
And at Christmas there are the Christmas elves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=mYU6P87y5hU
Check this out! It's really short but delightful!

There have been commissions by leading name in Finnish design:
Aino Favén, Jorma Vennola, Jukka Rintala, Tuula Falck, Markku Salo, Paola Suhonen, Anna Ruohonen, Anu Leinonen, Kalle Kuusela, Elina Helenius, Kaisli Kiuru, Anneli Aaltonen and Eero Sairanen.

And then there are the candlesticks ..........
http://www.aarikka.com/fi/