Tapio Leaf
Tapio Wirkkala Glass Leaf Bowl Signed
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in San Diego, CA
Crystal, line cut leaf bowl by Finnish artist and designer Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. Wirkkala’s
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Crystal
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish Silver Leaf Shape Handled Bon Bon Dish
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning mid-century Finnish silver leaf shaped handled bon bon dish designed by Tapio Wirkkala
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Tapio Wirkkala Glass Leaf "Lehti" Bowl Collection - Includes 3 Finland 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Dallas, TX
This exquisite collection features three art glass leaf bowls by renowned Finnish designer Tapio
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
$2,800 / set
H 2.25 in W 7 in D 5.25 in
A Beautiful Tapio Wirkkala Rhythmic Veneer Decorative Leaf Dish Soini 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
In most if not in all of his designs, Tapio Wirkkala took his inspiration from the surrounding
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Birch
$9,407
H 1.58 in W 10.44 in D 9.26 in
Rare Tapio Wirkkala 'Leaf' Coffee Table Asko Finland 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Asko
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A rare coffee table designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko Finland 1950's
African Padouk veneered
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Mid Century Aeroplan Plywood Leaf Dish by Tapio Wirkkala Made in Finland c 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
Iconic laminated wood aeroplan leaf dish by recognized master of the genre, Tapio Wirkkala. Made in
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Birch, Teak
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 1.25 in W 17.25 in D 10.25 in
Vintage Venini Egg Designed by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage transparent glass egg with a gold leaf yoke. Tapio Wirkkala was well know by Venini since
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
Set of 3 Tapio Wirkkala Line-engraved "Leaf" Glass Art Pieces, Iittala 1950s
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of three Tapio Wirkkala leaf art objects / vases for Iittala. The set is of three two
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
$1,103 / set
H 4.73 in Dm 4.53 in
Tapio Wirkkala Pair of 'Leaf' Dishes in Silver for Kultakeskus Oy, 1959 - 1960
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant pair of leaf form dishes, models TW-5 (l.) and TW-4 (r.), designed by Tapio Wirkkala for
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Organic Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Silver
$1,400 Sale Price / set
46% Off
H 2.5 in W 3.5 in D 4.5 in
A Pair of Tapio Wirkkala, Leaf Serving Bowls In Silver & Teak, TW-85, 1960s
By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of leaf shaped silver bowls with teak handles, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$3,863 / set
H 2.96 in W 3.75 in D 14.18 in
Pr. Mid Century Aeroplan Wood Plates att. to Tapio Wirkkala c. 1950's
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
. Please view the Tapio Wirkkala leaf dish from this exciting collection, we have listed separately on 1st
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-...
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Organic Leaf/Shell Dish by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1960s
By Rosenthal
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Mid-Century Organic Leaf/Shell Dish by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1960s
Beautifully sculpted
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
$312
H 11.03 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Recent Sales
Tapio Wirkkala "Leaf" Dish
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Princeton, NJ
Beautiful and rare bowl by Tapio Wirkkala in mint condition. Underside incised with artist's
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Platters and Serveware
Tapio Wirkkala Glass Leaf Bowl, Finland, circa 1960
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Southampton, NY
Wirkkala bowl made by Iitala, Stylized leaf form with etched veins. Signed by spine. Made in
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
Beautiful bowl in glass "Leaf" by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Djurhamn, SE
Tapio Wirkkala
Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) was a versatile design genius, and is widely regarded as
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Silvered Metal Leaf Form Bowls for Christofle/Gallia
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, ON
Three silvered metal bowls designed by Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) for Christofle, Gallia
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Metal
Glass Leaf Dish by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Finland, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Lugano, TI
Stunning crystal glass in the form of an abstract leaf by Tapio Wirkkala manufactured by Iittala
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
Scandinavian Modern Tapio Wirkkala Combed Crystal Art object Leaf set Handblown
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in EL Waalre, NL
free blown, hot formed, comb-cut crystal Art objects “leaf”, model 3337. Designed by Tapio Wirkkala in
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Crystal
H 2.37 in W 8.47 in D 9.97 in
Scandinavian Modern Large Silver Leaf Bowl or object by Tapio Wirkkala, 1962
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Beek en Donk, NL
An elegant Scandinavian modern leaf shaped Sterling silver bowl by Tapio Wirkkala, model TW85 by
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Silver
H 0.99 in W 3.75 in D 14.57 in
Tapio Wirkkala Leaf Littala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Glass leaf designed by Tapio Wirkkala circa 1955 for Littala.
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Leaf Platter
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare large handmade carved and laminated birch leaf platter by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tableware
Large Tapio Wirkkala Leaf Tray
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare handmade carved and laminated birch large leaf tray by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Soinne
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
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
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Serving Pieces
Large Tapio Wirkkala comb cut leaf vase
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A very nice example of Wirkkala's iconic leaf form comb cut vase for Iittala.
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Vases
Materials
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Ulta Rare Tapio Wirkkala Wood Leaf Platter 1951
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Munich, DE
one of the icons of design. designed by tapio wirkkala in 1951 and awarded with the gold metal at
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Platters and Serveware
Rare Large Tapio Wirkkala Leaf Platter Finland, 1951
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Iconic Finnish design by Tapio Wirkkala in 1951. Hand laminated teak and birch.
This design won
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Birch, Teak
Table with Inlaid Leaf in Birch by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Rivoli, IT
Coffee table by Tapio Wirkkala
Very good vintage conditions.
Produced by Asko Finand around 1958
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Tapio Wirkkala Plywood "Leaf" Dish, Large and Signed, 1950s, Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Tapio Wirkkala "Leaf" dish in plywood, monogrammed to underside and in nice original condition
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Pair of 1950s Tapio Wirkkala Folded Leaf Bowls, Art Glass Iittala Oy, Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of 1950s Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala Oy, Finland Line etched folded leaf bowls. Part of the
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala, Rare Leaf Inlay Coffee Table for Asko, Finland, 1950s, Branded
By Asko, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Rare leaf inlay coffee table, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Asko, Finland, 1950s
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Birch, Walnut
H 15.75 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Tapio Wirkkala Gold Porcelain Wall Hanging Plate Sculpture for Rosenthal 1971
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Troy, MI
Jahresteller series wall hanging sculpture designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal 1971
Limited to
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
H 12.25 in W 12.25 in D 0.5 in
Tapio Wirkkala Lead Crystal Leaf Dish
Located in San Francisco, CA
Lead crystal, comb cut, leaf dish designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1956 and mfg by Iittala of Finland
Category
Vintage 1950s Glass
Stunning Figured Walnut and Birch "Leaf" Cocktail Table, Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning figured walnut and birch "leaf" cocktail table, Finland, superior quality and construction
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Birch, Walnut
Wonderful Tapio Wirkkala Plywood Leaf
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful Tapio Wirkkala plywood leaf in 100% original condition. Manufactured by soinne et kni.
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Tapio Wirkkala Rhythmic Veneer Leaf Dish
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
Once again Tapio Wirkkala took his inspiration from the surrounding nature and made this beautiful
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Birch
iconic tapio wirkkala rythmic wood leaf
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Munich, DE
wonderful art object by the master of design. who ever saw the book tapio wirkkala will know, what
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Plywood
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish Hand Carved Leaf Platter
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish Hand Carved Leaf Platter
This piece measures: 6.5 wide x 4.5 deep x 1.25
Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Wood
Tapio Wirkkala by Soinne et Kni Leaf Tray
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Ferndale, MI
Iconic and rare Tapio Wirkkala rythmic aeroplan / plywood range leaf tray awarded as most beautiful
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Wood
1956 Tapio Wirkkala TW-4 Leaf Shaped Dish by Kultakeskus Oy
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Utrecht, NL
Refined leaf shaped dish from 1956 by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) for Kultakeskus
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Silver
Early Tapio Wirkkala Pair of Large Glass Comb Cut Leaf Bowls, 1954
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Dronten, NL
Tapio Wirkkala pair of large glass comb cut leaf bowls designed in 1954 for Iittala. Original 1950s
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
1950s Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Finnish Studio Art Glass Figural Leaf Bowl Dish
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in San Diego, CA
Great original modernist Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala studio art glass leaf bowl/dish. Great engraved
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
H 1.5 in W 5.25 in D 4.75 in
Leaf Tray by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
A fine example of Wirkkala's leaf tray, proclaimed "the most beautiful object of 1951" by House
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Serving Bowls
Carved Plywood "Leaf" Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Los Angeles, CA
laminated birch plywood, Finnish design giant Tapio Wirkkala adapted the labor-intensive process for his own
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Serving Bowls
Tapio Wirkkala Comb Cut Leaf Bowl
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Waltham, MA
Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala comb cut engraved bowl from his desirable leaf series. This particular
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Decorative Bowls
Materials
Glass
Leaf bowl by Tapio WIrkkala
Located in New York, NY
Tapio Wirkkala was Finland's most versatile and influential designer in the second half of the
Category
20th Century Finnish Serving Bowls
Leaf Tray by Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
A fine example of Wirkkala's leaf tray, proclaimed "the most beautiful object of 1951" by House
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Centerpieces
Leaf Dish by Tapio Wirkkala for IIttala
Located in New York, NY
Early leaf shaped dish by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. Designed in 1951, this example is dated 1952
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Glass
Materials
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala, Sterling Silver Leaf-Shaped Bowl, Model TW 4, Kultakeskus, 1963
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Tapio Wirkkala - Sterling silver leaf-shaped bowl, model TW 4 - Kultakeskus Oy, Finland 1963
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
H 2.8 in W 3.35 in D 4.22 in
Wirkkala Leaf In Bronze
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Maastricht, NL
Bronze leaf bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy, Finland. Great patina and marked. We have
Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Serving Bowls
Materials
Bronze
People Also Browsed
Just Andersen, Small Vase, Disko Metal, Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in High Point, NC
A small disko metal vase, designed and produced by Just Andersen, Denmark, c. 1930s.
Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Metal
Carl Auböck Model #3603L Large Brass and Leather Bell
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3603L large brass and leather bell. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bell is executed in polished brass and rich brown leather.
Pric...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Scu...
Materials
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Discometal Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Discometal Vase designed by Just Andersen in the 1940s. An eye-catching piece for a beautiful table.
• A metal vase
• Designer: Just Andersen
• Style: D1873 ("Margrethe Cup")
• Yea...
Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Vases
Materials
Metal
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 12pcs. Sterling Silver & Box Cake Spatula & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 12 gilded inside antique valuable floral handle sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. A cased set of 1915 12 x silver ...
Category
Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,858 Sale Price
25% Off
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Carl Auböck Model #4233 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4233 brass and leather paper knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Handmade Cast Bronze Rounded Bowl Inspired by Wabi-Sabi, Vide-Poche
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Graceful bronze bowl, vide-poche, inspired by Wabi-Sabi, the ancient Japanese philosophy that views and embraces the world for its imperfections and transient nature. It translates i...
Category
2010s British Organic Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Materials
Bronze
$151 / item
H 1.58 in W 4.93 in D 4.73 in
Louis XV Style Polychrome Sparkler
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This very elegant and usual firescreen is made out iron, then hand painted the actual patina is not damaged.
Category
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Materials
Iron
Ceramic Link Chain Wall Sculpture
By Asmaa Aman-Tran
Located in Attleboro, MA
Chains echo different emotions in us, some see them as a symbol of imprisonment, and vulnerability and some see as an emotion of inter connectivity and strong bond between the people...
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware, Linen
Set of Two Vintage "Paper Bag" Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal - 1970's
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Set of Two Vintage Beige/Brown "Paper Bag" Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal
pair of vintage "Paper Bag" vases designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal. These exceptional pieces...
Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Porcelain
$456 / set
H 7.88 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
Carl Auböck Model #4317 Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4317 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceiv...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Brass
Dining Room Table, Style: Art Deco, 1920 '8 People', Material: Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Dining Table Art Deco
Year: 1920
Country: French
Wood
Finish: polyurethanic lacquer
It is an elegant and sophisticated dining table.
You want to live in the golden years, this is t...
Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
$22,000
H 31.5 in W 85.83 in D 43.31 in
Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
A group of four antique confessionals in Neo-Gothic style, made of oak.
Category
Antique 19th Century Belgian Gothic Revival Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood, Oak
1950's Pair of Atomic Age Stackable Triangle tables in Iron & White Laminate Top
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in San Diego, CA
1950s American Mid Century Modern, Atomic age pair of stackable triangle table with white color laminate top great accent table for indoor or outdoor use, can be combined with Memphi...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Iron
$575 / set
H 16 in Dm 15 in
Bertu Counter Stool, Boca Dos Organic Modern Counter Stool, Maple
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stool, Boca Dos Organic Modern Counter Stool, Maple
Please scroll down to read IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT OUR STUMPS before purchase!
Why buy BERTU stumps?
KILN ...
Category
2010s American Modern Stools
Materials
Wood, Maple
Murano Art Glass and Brass Smoky Color Wall Light and Sconces, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
Very original Murano glass wall lamp with a very elongated design of the glass plate and a unique smoky color.
The applique is composed of a gold-colored metal structure to which on...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
$1,199 / item
H 15.75 in W 5.12 in D 2.37 in
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Tapio Leaf", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Tapio Leaf For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the tapio leaf you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each tapio leaf for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, wood and birch. Your living room may not be complete without a tapio leaf — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A tapio leaf, designed in the mid-century modern or Scandinavian Modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one tapio leaf that is appealing in its simplicity, but Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala and Kultakeskus Oy produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Tapio Leaf?
Prices for a tapio leaf start at $116 and top out at $210,000 with the average selling for $7,121.
Tapio Wirkkala for sale on 1stDibs
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.
More Ways To Browse
Wirkkala Veneer
Iittala Glassware
Christofle Leaf
Sterling Silver Flatware George And Martha
Sterling Silver Ring Holder
Sterling Silver Samovar
Sterling Silver Trivet
Sterling Silver Wine Funnel
Sterling Tea Cup
Sterling Wine Funnel
Steuben Blown Glass Vase
Stickley Bed Frame
Stickley Bed
Stickley Clock
Stickley Drop Front Desk
Stone Deer
Stone Garden Chair
Stone Tub