Along with architect Alvar Aalto, the designer Tapio Wirkkala was Finland’s leading contributor to the Scandinavian interpretation of modernism in the mid-20th century. Prolific and innovative, Wirkkala excelled in a wide range of fields, including glass, furniture, porcelain, jewelry and tableware. The hallmark of his talent was an ability to impart a craft aesthetic based on natural forms — leaves, ice, bubbles, birds — to industrially produced designs.
A native of Helsinki, Wirkkala studied at the national School of Applied Arts and took up a career in graphic design. After serving in the Finnish army during World War II, he joined the glassmaking firm Iittala, an association that would continue to the end of his life. Wirkkala learned every aspect of glassmaking in keeping with his belief that an artist-designer should be involved in all stages of production. His best-known works for Iittala are vases and drinking vessels that resemble either carved ice or icicles. In 1956, Wirkkala began a long relationship with the porcelain maker Rosenthal, for whom he designed elegant table pieces, such as the Finlandia coffee service and the biomorphic Pollo vases.
House Beautiful magazine declared Wirkkala’s Leaf platter the “most beautiful object” of 1951. (The acclaim led to his brief employment stint with industrial designer Raymond Loewy in New York.) That platter was one of the first designs Wirkkala made using laminated sheets of plywood sanded to a smooth surface that resembles an abstract leaf. It would go on to become a motif in many Wirkkala furniture pieces — most notably in inlaid coffee tables for Asko — and in a sense these are the works most emblematic of his personal aesthetic.
Wirkkala was a traditionalist in many ways, but he had a modernist’s practical approach, incorporating his leaf-like spirals into simple, functional objects. That is the core attraction of Wirkkala’s designs: They stand out with a striking, sculptural energy yet blend in as part of a warm and comfortable decor.
Find vintage Tapio Wirkkala furniture on 1stDibs.
Sculptural Swedish Modern Teak "Gondola" Tray by Tapio Wirkkala for Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gondola-form teakwood tray manufactured in the 1960s by Tapio Wirkkala for Kalmar of Sweden. Elegant, graceful form with rich color and vibrant teakwood grain. Conservatively ref...
Teak
$4,500 / set
Tapio Wirkkala Copper and Silver Coffee Set
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A solid copper coffee set including coffee pot, creamer, sugar pot, and very hard to find solid copper serving tray. Lined in silver, these sets wer...
Copper
Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) – “Duo” Flatware Set for Christofle, 1957
By Christofle, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) – “Duo” Flatware Set for Christofle, 1957 Timeless elegance and Scandinavian design unite in this superb silver-plated flatware set, the “Duo” pattern, des...
Silver Plate
Tapio Wirkkala Tray Produced by Soinne et Kni in Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare tray designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Produced by Soinne et Kni in Finland.
Birch, Laminate
Christofle, Set of 51 Louis XV Style Silver Plated Flatware
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
Part of flatware Christofle collection "Marly" in silver metal. This set of cutlery with rich decoration of plants in the Louis XV style is composed of ...
Metal, Silver
$192Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 0.25 in W 15.75 in D 12.75 in
Tapio Wirkkala Freeform Molded Plywood Tray, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in San Diego, CA
Fincraft molded plywood tray designed in the 1950s by Tapio Wirkkala for Soinne et Kni, Helsinki. Embossed stamp on the bottom. Finland
Plywood
Don Shoemaker Small Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwood...
Hardwood, Rosewood
Tapio Wirkkala Crystal Ice Bucket with Tongs, Finland, 1950's
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tapio Wirkkala Crystal Ice Bucket with Clasp, Finland, 1950's, original tongs
Crystal
$560
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 10.38 in
Small Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Art Deco Silver Plated Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Deco style silver-plated serving tray from Christofle. This small cocktail tray is hallmarked on the reverse. In very good condition, wear consistent with age, materials...
Silver Plate
Nouveau / Arts and Crafts Copper Coffee Set
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
fleurdetroit presents for your consideration a wondeeful tea service from the Arts and Crafts period. Dazzle guests with a one of a kind find like this early 20th century coffee/tea ...
Copper
$20,321
H 14.38 in W 7.09 in D 9.49 in
Antique George II Georgian Silver Kettle on Stand London 1745 Teapot
By William Grundy
Located in London, GB
An excellent George II Georgian Solid Silver Kettle on Stand. The Tea Pot has an ornate chased design including floral, foliate and scroll patterning, and each side has a shaped cartouche with an engraved crest in it. The Teapot has a hinged domed lid with an impressive finial, and a substantial scroll shaped swing handle with a shaped wooden section. The Tea Kettle stands...
Sterling Silver
Individual Asparagus Tongs CHRISTOFLE Silver-Plated
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
An elegant individual asparagus tongs crafted by the prestigious Christofle, a true emblem of French refinement. This piece perfectly combines beauty and functionality, made of silve...
Silver Plate
Large Estate Christofle Empire Style Four Piece Caviar Serving Set
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
Fine large and impressive estate Christofle Empire style caviar serving set Pattern: 4224590 Classic French elegance, this superb scarce four piece caviar set epitomizes luxury and refinement. Composed of an outer two handled presentation dish for ice, a crystal bowl for caviar, a cross bar stand for the caviar bowl and a lid. The handles with attractive stylized sea shell motifs, ideal for serving caviar. This fine Christofle caviar...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Art Deco Silver plated Coffee Set
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this Silver plated Art Deco Coffee Set. 1. Height: 23.5 cm. Width: 14.5 cm. Depth: 8 cm. 2. Height: 17.5 cm. Width: 20 cm. Depth: 10 cm. 3. Height: 13 cm. Width:...
Bakelite
$2,200
H 7.88 in W 8.27 in D 14.18 in
Silver Plated Tea Set, Exclusive Antique 3 Parts Kettle Coffee Pot, Warmer Set
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Silver-Plated Tea Set with Warmer Swedish C. Keijser & Östberg A superb antique silver-plated three-piece tea set, including an elegant kettle with warmer and matching teapot...
Metal, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Arne Jacobsen Coffee & Tea Set
By Stelton, Arne Jacobsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Arne Jacobsen Cylinda Line,manufactured by Stelton Matte finish steel,made in Denmark
Steel
Tapio Wirkkala, Tray, Birch Plywood, Finland, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in High Point, NC
A birch plywood tray designed by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Soinne & Knioy, Finland, 1950s Scratches present. Dimensions: 12.5” H x 15.75” W x .5” D
Plywood
Set of Eleven Colored Glass Drinking Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Finland, 1960s. These 11 drinking glasses are made in glass. It is a vintage set, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent ori...
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala, Trays, Birch Plywood, Finland, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of birch plywood trays designed by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Soinne & Knioy, Finland, 1950s
Birch
Copper Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful copper bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. Marked.
Copper
1960s Tapio Wirkkala Copper and Silver Coffee Set for Kultakeskus Oy
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Tapio Wirkkala copper and silver coffee set for Kultakeskus Oy. A solid copper coffee set including coffee pot, creamer, and sugar pot. Exe...
Silver, Copper
Tapio Wirkkala for Hackman Carving Set
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Two knives and one serving fork by Wirkkala. Each piece is acid etched with his name and the manufacturers (Hackman) Handlles are of maoded plastic and very easy to grasp.
Steel
Rare Tapio Wirkkala Coffee Set
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A great Tapio Wirkkala coffee set for Kultakeskus Oy, Finland. These sets were special ordered and are rather rare. Solid copper with silver plated...
Brass, Silver
Large Tapio Wirkkala Leaf Dish
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautiful hand laminated birch leaf dish by Tapio Wirkkala. Produced by Soine et Kni of Finland. Signed with impressed monogram "TW' to bottom.