Arabia Finland Linnea china with Waertsila Linens by Robert Darr Wert.
Collection of Susan Ward. Image: PKM
Name/Title
Placemat: Waertsila Linens, Linnea
Description
Two two-color silkscreen prints on bleached white linen depicting linear patterns of leaves. This placemat set is Wert’s interpretation of an Arabia Finland china pattern by famed Finnish designer Raija Uosikkinen.
Most likely produced for Twining & Buck of Salisbury, Connecticut, a high end retailer of modern home furnishings. Twining & Buck had relationships with both Arabia and Country Prints from the time the shop opened in 1950. Textile historian Susan Ward believes it is most likely Twining & Buck engaged Robert Darr Wert to produce silkscreen printed bibs and placemat sets to match the Arabia Finland china in their inventory. Arabia Finland knows of no such working relationship between their company and Wert. Two baby bibs and two placemat sets have been documented under the name “Waertsila Linens Hand Printed by Robert Darr Wert”; see “Waertsila Linens by Robert Darr Wert” entries.
Wert also produced a custom product tag for the Waertsila linens. See first and second images.
