Kaija Aarikka sculpture

This rare mid-century wooden sculpture, designed by Kaija Aarikka and produced in Finland by the Aarikka company during the 1950s, is a finely crafted example of Scandinavian decorative design rooted in material purity and playful abstraction. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples, the piece exemplifies Aarikka’s commitment to form, repetition, and the inherent beauty of natural wood.

Carved entirely from solid pine, the sculpture takes the form of a stylized sheep rendered through a modular, lathe-turned construction. The body is composed of numerous circular wooden segments arranged in a compact, grid-like cluster, creating a rhythm of repeating concave surfaces that reference the texture of wool. The natural growth rings of the pine are emphasized through the turning process, producing concentric lines that enhance the tactile and visual texture of the piece. The head and spiraling horns are also turned, with elongated forms that extend horizontally from the body in a clean, symmetrical layout.

The overall composition balances geometric regularity with a whimsical, zoomorphic character—typical of Kaija Aarikka’s early design language. The stylization is minimal yet immediately legible, inviting both visual appreciation and physical engagement. The pale honey tone of the pine, left untreated or lightly finished, retains its organic warmth and clearly displays the wood grain without interruption.

Kaija Aarikka (1929–2009), founder of Aarikka in 1954, was a leading figure in Finnish decorative design. Her work is celebrated for its tactile forms, clarity of material use, and joyful simplicity. Drawing on folk traditions, modernist abstraction, and the aesthetic potential of lathe-turning, Aarikka’s wooden sculptures and objects often inhabited the space between functional design and expressive art.

The underside of the sculpture is stamped “aarikka FINLAND,” verifying its provenance and confirming its production by the Aarikka workshop during the early years of the company. The condition is very good, with no cracks, repairs, or alterations; only minor signs of age and handling are visible, consistent with careful preservation.

The dimensions of the piece are 12 cm in width, 17.5 cm in depth, and 13.5 cm in height (approximately 4.7 × 6.9 × 5.3 inches).