A quiet force behind the physical realization of Finnish design classics, Kauko Rajala was an extraordinary ceramicist and master potter at Arabia. Born in 1925, he studied at the central art school before becoming an invaluable assistant to design icons Kaj Franck and Ulla Procopé, helping shape some of Finland’s most successful tableware lines. While he spent his days perfecting industrial pieces, his artistic soul truly shone in his hand-thrown Atelje studio work. Known for his beautifully balanced forms and exquisite ox-blood, green, and pristine white glazes, Rajala’s unique pottery earned him the prestigious State Prize for Craftsmanship in 1982.