The Cathrineholm ironworks were founded in 1829 outside Halden in southern Norway and enjoyed their heyday in the 1960s and 70s. Around this period, Nordic design was flourshed. In 1940s, Nordic countires started to call their funiture as an Nordic design to set up one group. Therefore, it can say Cathrineholm is totally Nordic design-products.
Before expanding to the world, what kind of value did Cathrinehom have in Norway?
According to "DESIGNING THINGS" written by Prasad Boradkar, there are several types of values the product has. I characterized it as Cultural value.
First, I focus on its colour variation. I do not know exactly how many colour it has, but at least it has 8 colours. It is said that Nordic countries has a long winter period and they stay home longer than the other countries. Therefore, they need more colourful products in order to stay happy without depression. I agree with this opinion and it can be said that the term of colourful is one of definition of Nordic design arising from their life experience.
Second, the pattern. In this blog I picked up the most famous pattern " lotus". Lotus pattern is made by Arne Clausen. It is said that Kittelsen’s, who is sculptor, products were distributed to a test market of Norwegian house wives in a variety of patterns and that the lotus pattern was favored by a landslide. In Nordic products, we often see nature motif pattern. It reflects their respect and likeness for nature in Nordic countries. And in my opinion, they often use wood as house material and white colour inside a room. It can be said that the sympathy of nature motif pattern is quite high with those things.
Third I can say the simplicity. Comparing to the Sable bowl made around 1800 in France, we can see its simplicity that it uses only one pattern with one colour. I think it is also related Nordic people`s characteristic and history but I am not sure now.
Fourth, why it was made by steal is also has a cultural meaning. But I am still not sure so I will continue researching.
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