Arabia Moomin Children's Dishes
Moomin Children's Mug Moomintroll (1957)
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The first Moomin dishes came into production around 1956, when Arabia published Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll-themed children's dishes. Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll children's mugs were produced in four ...
The first Moomin dishes came into production around 1956, when Arabia published Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll-themed children's dishes. Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll children's mugs were produced in four different versions, where the only difference is the illustration on the back of the mug. The back of the mug is either white or with one of three different Moomin characters. A shallow and deep plate is also available with two different illustration versions. The illustration for the children's dishes was designed by Tove Jansson herself and the products were designed by Kaj Franck. The 1950s Arabia children's dishes were originally sold as a package of a mug and two plates.
Additional information
Name
Moomin Children's Mug Moomintroll
Product category
Moomin Children's Dishes
Production period
1957
Theme
50s
Brand
Arabia
Product designer
Kaj Franck
Graphic designer
Tove Jansson
Characters
Little My
Moomintroll
Toft
Measurements
Height: 7.0, Width: 9.0, Diameter: 7.5 cm
Weight
175 g
Volume
200 ml
Color
White
Material
Vitro porcelain
Type
Children's Dishes
Designers
Kaj Franck
Kaj Franck was born on November 9, 1911 in Vyborg. He was one of the most internationally known Finnish glass and ceramic designers. In 1932, Franck graduated from the School of Art and Design as a furniture designer. After graduation, Franck worked as a catalog designer, interior designer, and furniture designer. Franck was the artistic director of the Nuutajärvi glass factory from 1950 to 1973. In addition to this, he worked as a teacher at the Art School in 1945 and later as its artistic director from 1960–1969. Kaj Franck has designed products for Arabia, Iittala and Artek, among others. Franck's best-known works are the Kilta series, the Teema series and the Kartio glasses. During his career, Kaj Franck won several awards and received recognition for his design work at the Milan Triennial in 1951, 1954 and the Milan Triennial Grand Prix in 1957. He has also received the Compasso d’Oro Prize, the Lunning Prize, the Prince Eugen Medal and Pro Finlandia. In 1972, he was awarded the title of Professor and Honorary Doctor of the Royal College of Art in London in 1983. Kaj Franck died at the age of 77 in 1989.
Tove Jansson
Tove Marika Jansson was a Finnish-Swedish author, a cartoon artist and a painter, best known for creating the Moomin characters. She was born on August 9th, 1914 in Helsinki, Finland. Tove Jansson was described as a tolerant human being with a good sense of humour. Tove Jansson became recognized in the 1940s, after the first Moomin novels were published. Her Moomin stories were published in newspapers, comic books and picture books. Jansson’s Moomin stories have been translated into 45 different languages, which makes her the most translated Finnish author of all time. Tove Jansson was very skilled in depicting different kinds of emotions in her Moomin stories. It wasn’t long before the Moomins had found their fans – in both children and adults. Later in life, Tove Jansson created more visual art and stories for adults. Moomin stories have been modified and used in different forms: In theatre, films, opera, radio and TV adaptations. First and foremost, Tove Jansson identified as a painter. She created commissioned artwork for Aurora Children’s Hospital, several charities, kindergartens and schools. Tove Jansson passed away in Helsinki on June 27th 2001, 86 years old. Since 2020 the Ministry of the Interior has recommended raising a flag on August 9th in honour of Tove Jansson and Finnish art.
Characters
Moomintroll
Moomintroll is a lovable and happy creature, and he longs for adventure. He is always at the heart of the event. He cares for his friends very much, and wants everyone around him to be happy. Just like the other Moomins, Moomintroll loves the sea. Moomintroll is a great combination of his parents: He is brave and adventurous like Moominpappa, as well as kind and compassionate like Moominmamma. The best place in the world for Moomintroll is Moominvalley, and he never fails to find an adventure. His fearlessness and longing for adventure sometimes carry him out of the Valley. Moomintroll is a roundish character, and he has a tussle at the end of his tail. In spite of his young age, Moomintroll has experienced the highs and lows of romance with his girlfriend Snorkmaiden. Moomintroll first appeared in Tove Jansson’s novel The Moomins and the Great Flood.
Little My
Little My lives in the Moomin house and is a part of the Moomin family, even though she is not really related to the Moomins. Mymble older is her mother, Mymble her sister, and Snufkin his half-brother. In spite of her small size, Little My is very courageous, fearless and brave. Little My is known for being quite feisty and having a sharp sense of humour. Little My always makes her own decisions and acts as she sees fit. She doesn’t let any kind of mayhem disturb her, and loves spending time in narrow and unusual places that most can’t even fit into. Little My is also very curious, she loves secrets and is good at keeping them. Little My has an orange bun of hair and a red dress. Little My first appeared in Tove Jansson’s book The Memoirs of Moominpappa.
