On offer is a quartet (4) of Blue Fire (Blå Eld) shallow serving trays/dishes – two in blue, two in white – which were initially marketed abroad as large
ashtrays (stora askfatten).
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 these teardrop-shaped dishes can certainly be used as
ashtrays, they are more likely to be repurposed in a modern place setting to
hold condiments or small appetizers. These
are the larger of the two sizes of ashtrays produced for the Blue Fire line, measuring
approximately 6 ½ inches by 5 ¾ inches at their broadest points (16.5 cm x 14.5
cm). These dishes are very collectible
and difficult to find, particularly in the white colorway.
(Note: Because
of the sweeping, amorphous design of many Blue Fire items, some measurements
are approximated.)
Condition Report:
This entire set is in excellent vintage condition. There is no apparent evidence of repair or
damage to any item.
The glazing on each piece is smooth and vibrant. Under oblique lighting, some utensil marks and scratches do become visible – particularly on the blue pair – but no one dish is overwhelmed with signs of usage. One blue dish has some minor “glaze pops” from manufacture on its underside (Picture #9). One white dish displays slight discoloration near the narrow part of the footring (Picture #10). Both white dishes are numbered and marked “Rörstrand Inc” and were manufactured in 1955. One blue dish is numbered and marked “Rörstrand Sweden” and was manufactured in 1958. The other blue dish is also numbered and marked, but the glaze over the backstamp is so heavy that I cannot read it accurately.
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.
