Upsala Ekeby, “Fenix” decor, 9.5 cm wide bowl with 20 and 24 cm vases

Upsala Ekeby’s prolific designer Mari Simmulson certainly saw things through a different artistic lens. “Fenix” is Swedish for “phoenix,” but I challenge you to find anyone other than Simmulson who has ever envisioned the fiery bird of rebirth as a soft, jewel-toned marvel slyly hiding behind its feathers. Perhaps the name stood for something else? This vase was produced in 1952, when Europe was still casting off the shadow of World War 2. It was a rebirth from the ashes, both literally and figuratively, and one neatly expressed via pieces like these.