Arabia 'Oras' Serving Dish by Aune Siimes - Finland, 1960s

A bold and graphic serving dish from Arabia’s short-lived Oras series, hand-painted with a striking modernist border in yellow, green, and black. The playful, almost textile-like zigzag pattern wraps around a softly squared white form — both functional and beautifully expressive.

Oras was produced during a time of bold experimentation at Arabia, with artists and decorators like Siimes bringing new energy to the company’s design language. With its short production run and distinctive hand-painted look, it remains one of the more elusive treasures of early 60s Finnish tableware. The glaze is smooth and glossy, applied over the hand-painted decoration to protect the surface and enhance the colors.

Produced for just two years in the early 1960s, Oras is one of those rare series that feel both totally of its time and completely contemporary. Designed by Aune Siimes, a lesser-known but quietly brilliant decorator at Arabia, this piece is a collector’s gem and a stylish addition to any table. We’d use it for aperitivo snacks, salads, or as a fruit bowl.

✦ Size 37 × 27 cm
✦ Material: Glazed hard earthenware
✦ Series: Oras
✦ Designer of decoration: Aune Siimes
✦ Manufacturer: Arabia
✦ Marked by manufacturer
✦ Production period: 1961–1962
✦ Made in Finland
✦ Excellent vintage condition – two small glaze rough spots on the base from production