Teacup
Classification(s):
Pottery
Date: c.1961 - 1972
Organisation: Arabia (Finland, founded 1873)
Designer: Ulla Procopé-Nyman (Finnish, 1921 - 1968)
Dimensions:
90 × 110 mm (9 × 11 cm)
Medium: Ceramic
Object number: P1141C
See Also
Place of Production:Finland
DescriptionGlazed ceramic tea cup with handle by Arabia. Made in Finland. The design is by Ulla Procopé and is from the ‘Rosmarin’ range. The ‘Rosmarin’ range was produced 1961-1972. The cup has a design featuring leaves and button-like shapes.
The potter’s mark “UP” is handpainted on the base.
The potter’s mark “UP” is handpainted on the base.
ProvenanceThis object was originally acquired for the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) ‘Circulating Design Scheme’ collection.
The collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.
The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.
The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.
COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.
After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.
The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts in 1989/90.
ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.
The collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.
The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.
The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.
COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.
After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.
The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts in 1989/90.
ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.
NotesThis object was circulated to London schools as part of the Inner London Education Authority’s (I.L.E.A) Circulating Design Scheme, which operated from 1951-1976. The cup featured in the ‘Materials and Design’ group in case number 2. The boxed showcase displays items, which are both beautiful and pleasant to handle. The text asks the viewer to question whether an object’s applied surface decoration really improves the appearance of an object. The original supplier from whom this object was acquired is unknown. The photograph does not have an associated record card. Original photograph of boxed showcase © London Metropolitan Archives: City of London.
Having studied ceramics at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, Ulla Procopé went on to work for Arabia from 1948 to 1968. Initially Procopé hand-decorated Arabia ceramics, but later she moved to the product design department. Procopé’s most famous work is the practical fireproof ‘Liekki’ (flame) casserole series, she also designed the versatile ‘Ruska’ range of tableware and cookware and the ‘Rosmarin’ tea service pattern. In the 1950s the idea of 'oven to tableware' emerged, like many other manufacturers Arabia introduced specially designed dishes which were oven-proof and made of a high temperature resistant material. Importantly, the dishes were both functional and beautiful enough not to look out of place on a dinner service.
Having studied ceramics at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, Ulla Procopé went on to work for Arabia from 1948 to 1968. Initially Procopé hand-decorated Arabia ceramics, but later she moved to the product design department. Procopé’s most famous work is the practical fireproof ‘Liekki’ (flame) casserole series, she also designed the versatile ‘Ruska’ range of tableware and cookware and the ‘Rosmarin’ tea service pattern. In the 1950s the idea of 'oven to tableware' emerged, like many other manufacturers Arabia introduced specially designed dishes which were oven-proof and made of a high temperature resistant material. Importantly, the dishes were both functional and beautiful enough not to look out of place on a dinner service.
