On offer is this eight-piece Blue Fire (Blå Eld) soup set fashioned as a service for two people:
- Blue Soup Tureen with lid (blå soppterrin med lock): Handle-to-handle width of 10 inches (25.5 cm), height of 9 inches (23 cm), and capacity of approximately 3 liters
- White Large Soup Plates, 2 pieces (vita stora djulpa tallrikar): 8 inch diameter (20.5 cm)
- White Small Soup Plates, 2 pieces (vita små djulpa tallrikar): 7 ¼ inch diameter (18.5 cm)
- Blue Luncheon Plates, 2 pieces (blå middagstallrikar): 9 inch diameter (23 cm)
(Note: Because of the sweeping, amorphous design of
many Blue Fire items, some measurements are approximated.)
Debuting in 1951, the Blue Fire service was designed by Rörstrand’s Hertha Bengtson, who purportedly named her immensely popular design – noted for its striking herringbone/chevron pattern – after a wildflower common to Öland, an island off Sweden’s southeast coast.
While the centerpiece of this collection is the stately blue lidded soup tureen, the real find here is the two luncheon plates, offered in the exceedingly rare blue colorway. It is also a bonus to have both sizes of the Blue Fire deep soup plates offered in the same lot. (The larger plates are sometimes referred to as “pasta bowls.” The smaller ones are frequently marketed as “coupe soup bowls.")
Condition Report:
This entire set is in excellent vintage condition. There is no apparent evidence of repair to
any item.
Soup Tureen: Exterior glaze on the bowl is smooth and shows the herringbone relief very well. Both the interior and exterior show very few utensil marks or scuffs. The exterior of the lid is also very well glazed, and the notch for the ladle is smooth and free of damage. Upon closer inspection, the underside of the lid (inner lip) does show several areas where the glaze has eroded over time, with each of spot feeling slightly rough to the touch. This item is stamped “Rörstrand Inc” and was manufactured in 1953.
Luncheon Plates: Both rims are smooth and each is nicely glazed. Both are remarkable for having very few utensil marks when examined under oblique lighting – truly outstanding condition. Both plates have some even glazing a few pinpoint “glaze pops” on the rear of the dishes, but this does not lessen their value or appeal. Both are numbered and stamped “Rörstrand Inc” and were manufactured in 1954.
Soup Bowls: All four bowls have smooth rims and have very few utensil marks. Oblique lighting revelas that one of the larger bowls does show some light crazing along the interior upper side, close to the rim (which can be very easy to miss). There are also a few crazing threads near the backstamp on this same bowl. All bowls are numbered and marked “Rörstrand Inc.” The two smaller bowls were manufactured in 1952, and the larger bowls were manufactured in 1954 and 1955.
Please refer to all furnished photographs in this listing, as they form an integral, supplemental part of the description. I try to “over describe” my items, pointing out any irregularities that a buyer of vintage goods might find objectionable. I am certainly happy to provide additional photography upon request.
Shipping:
The listed shipping is for buyers in the contiguous United States. If you reside in Alaska or Hawaii, please contact me for a shipping quote. My auctions are currently closed to international customers, but if you reside outside the US and are interested in bidding, please reach out to me. (Please understand that I am not responsible for any duties or delays imposed by Customs in your country, and I cannot declare any items shipped to you for less than their sale price.)
Since I am a new seller, for auction lots with more than one item, I may use an outside packing service in order to help ensure that your purchase arrives damage-free. Fragile collectibles will be double-boxed where appropriate and practical.
Return Policy:
As a longtime buyer of vintage pottery, I understand that
disappointments sometimes happen. Terms
like “excellent” and “near mint” are subjective, meaning wildly different
things to different people. And it can
be difficult to agree on when “wear and tear consistent with age” has ventured
into the territory of actual damage.
Rather than quibble, if you
are dissatisfied with any item that you purchase from me, for any reason,
simply return it to me within 14 days in the condition in which it was sent,
and I will happily refund your money. I
will pay for return shipping costs, but regrettably, I cannot refund outbound
shipping and handling fees in such cases.
Of course, should an item sustain any damage during transit, you will receive a complete refund. (In the event
that a multi-item shipment sustains only partial damage, please contact me so
that we can work out a satisfactory solution.)
All I ask in return is that you document any damage, retain all packing
materials, and assist me during the claims process.
In my experience, the best transactions are ones where there
is open, honest communication on both sides.
My goal is to find happy homes for these treasures, with the hope that
they will bring their new owners as much joy as they’ve brought me.
About Me:
I have been an avid Blue Fire (Blå Eld) and Koka Blue (Koka Blå) collector for almost 20 years. I own over 400 pieces in each line, so if you are hunting for something in particular, please reach out to me – there’s a good chance that I have what you’re looking for. I absolutely love chatting with other Rorstrand enthusiasts!
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’d rather be deluged with questions than to
have my buyers experience one drop of regret with any item that I sell.
