"In Finland, we are rich in nature, cities, architecture and furniture, but not so much in little memory pieces or ritual objects. Not many visitors can see and do what locals do, since much happens deep in the forest or at the lakeside." - Song & Olin of COMPANY

What gifts did the Finnish delegation bring to Japan in 1919 to inaugurate Finnish-Japanese diplomatic relations? With this question in mind, Finnish-Korean design-duo COMPANY created their contribution to the FIN/JPN Friendship Collection. The family of six ceramic objects are both decorative and functional; each celebrates a seasonal ritual belonging to the Finnish calendar.

This ceramic vase is one of two inspired by a Finnish rite of spring. In April, Finnish children welcome the end of winter by dressing up as witches and decorating willow twigs with feathers and small embellishments. Going door to door, the little witches expect small treats in return for their blessing. To wish their neighbors a healthy year, they say "Virvon, varvon, tuoreeks terveeks, tulevaks vuodeks; vitsa sulle, palkka mulle." Or, "I wave a twig for a fresh and healthy year ahead; a twig for you, a treat for me!" This witch is accompanied by a canine familiar, the Easter Dog Vase.

Expressive and of disarming naiveté, the family of objects evokes the animist, pagan pasts of Finland. They are hand-made by Artek's ceramic partner in Portugal, based on a close collaborative development process with COMPANY founders Aamu Song and Johan Olin.