SABENA First Class Porcelain — René Magritte's Sky Bird — 30 €/piece
Prix régulier 30,00 € TTC 6%
30€ per piece, your choice by mail to info(arobaz)aviation(dot)brussels
Details of availability under description.
Characteristics
| Special features | Made by Seltmann Weiden ( Bavaria, Germany ) |
| Condition |
The porcelain presents very well overall, with a clean, attractive appearance and bright decorative details.
|
| Manufacturer |
Seltmann Weiden |
Description
SABENA First Class porcelain – Featuring René Magritte's iconic L'Oiseau de ciel (The Sky Bird).
Elegant collection of airline tableware, once part of the refined onboard dining experience offered by SABENA, Belgium's former national airline.
Manufactured by the renowned German porcelain maker Seltmann Weiden, Bavaria, these distinctive pieces feature the graceful bird motif associated with L'Oiseau de ciel, the celebrated creation of Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte (1898–1967).
With their beautifully understated white porcelain, deep blue detailing and delicate gold accents, these pieces evoke a time when travelling by air was as much about elegance and personal service as reaching one's destination.
A charming blend of Belgian art, aviation heritage and timeless tableware design.
Available pieces – €30 each
The collection is offered individually, allowing you to select the pieces that appeal to you or complement your existing collection.
| Reference | Item | Availability | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAG 024 | Medium plate | 9 pieces | 17 cm |
| SAG 026 | Porcelain cup | 1 piece | 6 cm |
| SAG 032 | Salt shaker | 2 pieces | 2,5 x 4 cm |
| SAG 042 | Small cup | 1 piece | 7.2 × 4.7 cm |
| 0310 | Large bowl | 2 pieces | 11.7 × 4.8 cm |
The Seltmann Weiden pieces bear manufacturer's markings on the underside, including references to Bavaria, Germany, SABENA and individual product codes.
Please note: The two large bowls are marked ANTWERP – MADE IN JAPAN and are therefore distinct from the Seltmann Weiden pieces.
How to order
Price: €30 per piece.
Choose your preferred items from the list above and enter the required quantity when placing your order.
For example, quantity 1 means one piece, while quantity 2 means two pieces.
Once your order has been submitted, simply email info@aviation.brussels with your selected references and quantities.
The story behind the Sky Bird – When SABENA met Magritte
In the mid-1960s, SABENA sought to strengthen its international identity by associating the airline with one of Belgium's most celebrated artists.
Under the leadership of Gilbert Périer (1902–1968), the airline approached René Magritte in December 1965 and commissioned an artwork that would become closely associated with its visual identity.
The resulting creation, L'Oiseau de ciel (The Sky Bird), depicted a bird in flight whose silhouette contains a cloud-filled blue sky — an instantly recognisable expression of Magritte's surrealist imagination.
The artwork soon became an emblem of SABENA's distinctive advertising style, appearing on posters, promotional literature, labels and other publicity materials.
In 1973, when the airline celebrated its 50th anniversary, SABENA adopted a new visual identity. Yet Magritte's poetic bird remained an enduring part of the company's artistic legacy.
The porcelain pieces offered here recall this fascinating chapter of Belgian aviation history, when a national airline embraced the work of a world-famous surrealist painter.
More than ordinary airline tableware, they are small pieces of design history, bringing together art, travel and the unmistakable elegance of a bygone era.
