Arabia Finland • Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist • Ruija • Sauce Bowl

The name Ruija comes from the Ruija region in northern Norway, a land deeply connected to Finnish culture.
This place name evokes images of tundra, forests, and winter light, and it became the inspiration for Arabia when naming this series in the 1970s.

The decor, hand-painted by Raija Uosikkinen, features soft botanical patterns in dark brown, moss green, and cream. The brushstrokes resemble branches and leaves slowly growing in a northern forest, low-saturation, tranquil, and imbued with the warmth of a handcrafted era.

The form, designed by Ulla Procopé, continues her consistent mid-century utilitarian aesthetic: stable proportions, thick walls, and a solid feel, possessing the typical everyday heft characteristic of Arabia's peak production period.

The charm of Ruija lies in its northern natural tone: not an ostentatious design, but one that preserves time within its glaze. The subtle variations in the botanical lines, the interplay of light and dark in the brown glaze, and the misty speckles formed after firing. Placed on a table, the space becomes quieter, more like a northern winter afternoon.

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Arabia Finland｜Raija Uosikkinen & Ulla Procopé｜Ruija
• Series：Ruija
• Design Year：1970s–1980s
• Designer（decor）：Raija Uosikkinen
• Designer（form）：Ulla Procopé
• Size：Ø 14 cm · 18 cm with handle

• Discontinued：Produced 1970s–1980s 
In the late 1970s, the Arabia factory gradually shifted towards more modernized mass production methods. Ruija's hand-painted decoration and multi-layered glazes required more manual labor and time, making it difficult to meet the demands of later production efficiency.
The series was therefore discontinued in the early 1980s, becoming a classic now only available on the secondary market.

📌Note:
• There is a very small pinhole on the rim of the bowl's surface, formed during firing, and not a chip or crack. (As shown in photos)

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🌿 《 Vintage Object Notes 》

🧩 Vintage pieces may show natural signs of age or slight variations,
which are part of their history.
🧩 Each piece is unique, and pricing may vary based on condition.
🧩 Photos show the actual piece and its true condition.
If you would like to check whether other pieces are available,
feel free to message us — 
we can provide detailed photos and pricing.
🧩 Thank you for thoughtfully choosing pieces that deserve to be continued.

《 sourced on request 》
If you’re looking for other pieces,
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