Items Similar to "The Funeral, 1957-1958", A Unique Large Rut Bryk Wall Relief, Arabia
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17
"The Funeral, 1957-1958", A Unique Large Rut Bryk Wall Relief, Arabia
$26,922.57
£19,942.44
€22,400
CA$36,829.13
A$40,141.87
CHF 21,222.66
MX$483,231.99
NOK 269,368.38
SEK 246,955.75
DKK 170,675.63
About the Item
A stunning wall relief in glazed ceramic designed by Rut Bryk and made in 1957-58. The piece named "The Funeral" depicts six men carrying a coffin and flowers and is beautifully described in the Rut Bryk book by Harri Kalha as follows:
"Without knowing the title of this work, we might not guess its content. The long pale shape punctuated by dark columns depicts a coffin being carried by six men in top hats. The coffin is draped with delicate flowers, the only traditional element in the composition - as if to suggest that it would be unseemly to tamper with a symbolic last tribute to the deceased. A large heart is inscribed on the coffin imperfect, yet as beautiful as a ceramic surface ever can be. The heart is a wreath woven of sprigs of Linnaea. In-side the heart, nuances of pink are set off by a delicate grey bruise.
Here we have an omen of an approaching artistic watershed: Bryk was in the process of abandoning figurative depiction. The lines are more solid and assured; the robust shapes reluctant to reveal whether they form a sculpture or a picture.
It is somehow fitting that Bryk has cloaked the emotional content of this work in such austere, enigmatic garb. Abstraction is itself mourning dress of sorts: renouncing representation is a form of letting go, hence the sombre, faceless figures. The occasion is official, yet the artist has wanted to engrave her personal mark on the ceremony.
The Funeral dates from 1957, the year the artist's father Felix was buried, Bryk kept this work on the wall of her studio and preferred not to show it in exhibitions. She never revealed to outsiders whose funeral the work portrayed."
This piece is so big, that it's made up of two seperate ceramic tiles held together by a wooden frame in the back. Both tiles are glazed, polished and in good condition apart from 3 minor chips on the back (please refer to the pictures, the chips are less 1 cm each, very small). The item is signed "Bryk"
This piece is unique (a few were made, and uniquely hand coloured), it came from the personal collection of Edmundo Diquez C., a very successful and renowned architect from Venezeula. The last two pictures are of a similar piece hanging in the Rut Bryk section in the EMMA museum and from the book "Rut Bryk".
Rut Bryk (1916–1999) was a pioneering Finnish ceramic artist known for her intricate, colourful, and often architectural tile works. Blending elements of modernism, folk art, and storytelling, her pieces ranged from delicate, nature-inspired motifs to large-scale geometric compositions.
Originally trained as a graphic artist, Bryk transitioned into ceramics in the 1940s, working at Arabia, Finland’s renowned ceramics manufacturer. Over the decades, she developed a distinctive style, experimenting with textures, glazing techniques, and sculptural forms. Her later works, particularly large ceramic reliefs, became key features in public spaces, showcasing her ability to merge art and architecture.
Bryk was also part of Finland’s mid-century design movement, alongside her husband, designer Tapio Wirkkala. Although Bryk herself was very shy, and rarely gave any insight into her works, let alone interviews or pictures. Her work continues to be celebrated for its timeless beauty, meticulous craftsmanship, and innovative approach to ceramics.
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 20.67 in (52.5 cm)Width: 33.27 in (84.5 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1957-58
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The overall impression is good. A couple of minor chips on the back. They re so small and I significant that we choose to leave them as such.
- Seller Location:Helsinki, FI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6346239742222
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1994
1stDibs seller since 2022
193 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Helsinki, Finland
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllRut Bryk Mother
Children Ceramic Wall Relief "Play, 1957 " Arabia
By Arabia, Rut Bryk
Located in Helsinki, FI
A stunning wall relief in glazed ceramic designed by Rut Bryk and manufactured by Arabia, in Finland in the 1950s. A beautiful work of art featuring a mother playing with her childre...
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Large Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief, 9 Women
a Rose, Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring different beautifully hand-painted portraits of women, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s....
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
Materials
Faience
A Hint of Spring
Unique Ceramic Wall Relief, Heini Riitahuhta 2024
By Heini Riitahuhta
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and unique wall relief "A hint of spring" by one of the most talented contemporary ceramic artists in Finland, Heini Riitahuhta, known for her distinctive style and vibra...
Category
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Francesca Lindh Flowers Wavy Stoneware Wall Relief, Arabia 1970s
By Arabia of Finland, Francesca Mascitti Lindh
Located in Helsinki, FI
A truly beautiful and one of a kind piece designed by the Finnish Italian Francesca Lindh. Born in Italy, Lindh had a glaring and individual approach to ceramics. Her work has been o...
Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
A Sizeable Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief, Standing Lady, Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring a beautifully hand-painted woman, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent onl...
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
Materials
Faience
Large Surreal Green Garden Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring hand-painted flowers & women, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent only 4 ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
Materials
Faience
You May Also Like
Paul Soldner Large Mid-Century Pottery Raku Slab Charger Wall Relief Sculpture
By Paul Soldner
Located in Studio City, CA
An amazing and unique piece by renowned American pottery and ceramic master Paul Soldner who in the 1950s was Peter Voulkos' first student and who later became famed for developing the technique now known as "American Raku...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Midcentury Stoneware Wall Piece by Tyra Lundgren, Gustavsberg, 1940s
By Gustavsberg, Tyra Lundgren Carolina
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking stoneware wall relief by Tyra Lundgren, with a colorful, abstract motif of three dancing women. Beautiful colors and and thick glazes on tactile chamotte.
Mounted on a wood...
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stoneware
Swedish Ceramist, Unique Wall Plaque in Glazed Stoneware, 1960s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Swedish ceramist. Unique wall plaque in glazed stoneware. Blue glaze with hunter motif, 1960s.
Measures: 25.5 x 12 cm.
In very good condition.
Signed.
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Wall Mounted Glass Parable designed by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Bijorn Winblad, Rosenthal
Located in Antwerp, BE
A nice decorative relief faceted and frosted glass wall plate, designed by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal. Dimensions: 31 x 31 cm. Makers marks include artist's signature, the date as ...
Category
Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Sheet Metal
$1,442 Sale Price
20% Off
Free Shipping
Wall Ceramic, Belgium circa 1950/1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Wall ceramic, Belgium circa 1950/1960.
Category
Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Midcentury Stoneware Wall Piece by Michael Schilkin, Arabia, Finland, 1940s
By Arabia
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful stoneware wall piece by Michael Schilkin, depicting two swimming black swans. Reduced to essential forms and lines, it conveys a vibrant image of nature.
Category
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stoneware
More Ways To Browse
Ceramic Relief Wall
Rut Bryk
Ics Italian Ceramics
Imperial Stone China
Ironstone Mold
Ironstone Teapot
Japanese Ceramic Mugs
Josef Kostial
Leger Plate
Minton Fish Plates
Morten Lobner Espersen
Puente Del Arzobispo
Robert Et Jean Cloutier
Silver Chamber Pot
Spode 2061
Stick Spatter
Vallauris Innocenti
Vintage Chip And Dip Bowl