Cathrineholm

     Cathrineholm is not a person, but a factory that existed in Halden, Norway from 1907 to 1975. It is most famous for making a fabulous line of cookware, designed originally by Grete Prytz Kittelsen and others. Grete worked at the Cathrineholm factory from 1955 to 1972, and was known as a leader in Scandinavian design. She also made jewelry and silver pieces.

Apparently Grete was responsible for the form and colors of the bowls and plates, but another designer, Arne Clausen, is credited for the lotus flower pattern. Grete did not care for the lotus pattern, believing it distracting. 

     Cathrineholm made bowls, plates, coffeepots, and, best of all, fondue pots. I bought a fondue pot the other day at the Cambridge Antique Market and I love it! What better representation of mid-century design than a fondue pot? My pot seems unique because it is not the typical Cathrineholm lotus pattern. Researching online, it also appears that black and white was a less common color than orange, yellow, or blue.

     
Grete Prytz Kittelsen was an interesting woman.

She married the architect Arne Korsmo and they lived in a very modernistic house he designed. He died in 1968, but she lived on working for many years. Grete lived to be 93, just passing away in 2010.