Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Finnish, 1911-1989
Kaj Gabriel Franck was a leading figure in 20th-century Finnish design, specializing in ceramics and glass. As the creative director of Arabia Ceramics, now part of Iittala, he, along with fellow Finns Timo Sarpaneva and Tapio Wirkkala, helped popularize the bright, warm and curvy aesthetic of Scandinavian modernism. Design Forum Finland’s Kaj Franck Design Prize, established in 1992 and awarded each year around his birthday, is among the country’s most prestigious honors for designers.
Franck was born in 1911 in the city of Vyborg, which now belongs to Russia, but was then part of the Grand Duchy of Finland. He studied furniture design at the Central School of Industrial Design in Helsinki, and after graduating in 1932, worked as a catalogue illustrator for the Riihimäki glassworks, exploring interior and textile design on the side.
Having served in the Finnish armed forces during World War II, Franck joined Arabia in 1945 as their head of design. He remained with the company for many years, steering its line of tableware in a dynamic new direction. Franck professed an aversion to superfluous ornament. His ceramic designs were nevertheless complex and eye-catching, animated with playful, geometric forms. One of his most famous creations for Arabia was the Origami dish from the early 1960s, a glossy all-white serving piece resembling a subtly folded piece of paper with four shallow sections for holding food.
Although his Arabia ceramics became household staples for consumers in Scandinavia and beyond, Franck is better known among collectors for his glass designs, particularly those he created for Iittala starting in the late 1940s. In a 1947 Iittala-sponsored glass competition, Franck shared the top prize with Tapio Wirkkala. In 1950, he designed the company’s iconic Kartio series of pressed-glass pitchers and glasses, which came in different colors that consumers could “mix and match” rather than having to buy a homogeneous set. In 1977, Franck redesigned the series, renamed Teemaa.
Franck’s designs for Iittala embodied the Finnish concept of pelkistetty, which literally means “reduced” and in the design world refers to the pared-down, minimal qualities of modernism. This principle, evidenced in objects like his elegant, unfussy sets of jewel-toned drinking glasses from the 1960s, informed Franck’s view of the manufacturing process as well. Critical of mass production and consumerism, he was one of the country’s first professionals in his field to advocate recycling. He became known as the “conscience of Finnish design,” a role he embraced as a professor and later artistic director at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki.
In honor of Franck’s 100th birthday, in 2011, Iittala reissued Kartio glasses, Teema tableware and Purnukka jars, among other of his designs that retain their contemporary feel decades after their creation.
Find vintage Kaj Franck glass, vases and other furniture and decor on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Kaj Franck
Set of 5 Glass Vases by Kaj Franck, 1950's
By Kaj Franck
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 5 Glass Vases by Kaj Franck, 1950's
Additional Information:
Material: Glass
Style: Mid century, Scandinavia
Produced by Nuutajärvi in Finland...
Category
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Kaj Franck Glass Vase Nuutajärvi Notsjö Finland 1964
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in Basel, BS
Octagonal shaped glass vase designed by Kaj Franck, model KF298 for Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland, 1964.
Made of purple colored cased glass, hand-signed on bottom.
Height: 19.5 cm
Dia...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Kaj Franck Scandinavian Modern Green Glass Art-Object Carp 1961 Handmade Finland
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck Scandinavian Modern Green Glass Art-Object Carp 1961 Handmade Finland
An art-object in the shape of a fish (‘Ruutana’ or Crucian Carp), made of green lead glass with tin ...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass, Glass, Art Glass
Kaj Franck / VASE(Unique Piece) / Nuutajarvi
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
Kaj Franck is often referred to as the 'conscience of Finland' for his functional, simple forms and colourful products with no decoration, but he has also left behind many unique pie...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Kaj Franck / VASE(Unique Piece) / Nuutajarvi
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
Kaj Franck is often referred to as the 'conscience of Finland' for his functional, simple forms and colourful products with no decoration, but he has also left behind many unique pie...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Kaj Franck / VASE(Unique Piece) / Nuutajarvi
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
Kaj Franck is often referred to as the 'conscience of Finland' for his functional, simple forms and colourful products with no decoration, but he has also left behind many unique pie...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Kaj Franck / ASHTRAY/ “SAVUKIERRE(SMOKE SPIRAL)” KF116 / Nuutajarvi
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
USVA (HAZE) A piece designed in 1953, based on the technique.
The USVA (HAZE) technique was accidentally created by Gunnel Nyman and glassmaker Olavi Helander in 1947, when they were...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck, Artglass Object, "Lancet" Blue, Handblown, 1956
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, A blue and clear artglass object "Lancet", Model KF218, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland 1956
A free blown and cut and polished blue and clear cased artglass object “Lansetti”...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Kaj Franck Origami Tray for Arabia
By Arabia of Finland, Kaj Franck
Located in New York, NY
Geometric ceramic tray designed by Kaj Franck for Arabia. No damage, clean and original.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Kaj Franck Kremlin Bells Decanter with Red Glass Corck, Nuutajärvi 1964
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Helsinki, FI
This piece is in light forest green with a darker top. This design by Kaj Franck called the "Kremlin Bells", won the prestigious "Grand Prix" award at th...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Kaj Franck Colorful Kremlin Bells 'Kremlin Kellot' Decanter for Nuutajärvi 1965
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Helsinki, FI
This beautiful rotating blown art piece called the "Kremlin Bells" was made in a number of colors and combinations, and infact the design won the Grand P...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck Artglass Object KF260 green Handblown circa 1965
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck Artglass Object KF260 green Handblown circa 1965
A grey-green and clear glass art-object, model KF260. Designed by Kaj Franck in 1960, and executed by ...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass
A set of a Blue and a Yellow Kaj Franck Vases Model KF 234, Nuutajärvi 1959-62
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Helsinki, FI
Colourful tapered glass vases with oval rims and oval bases model KF 234 and this model was in producion during 1955-1964 period. The colors of these two vases are clear glass with s...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Kaj Franck Blown Glass Rooster Bottle for Nuutajärvi 1963
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful mould-blown glass decanter by the renowned designer Kaj Franck. This object has a distinctive cock stopper on the top, but can be used with or without. This particular series of decanters by Kaj Franck was manufactured for a limited time only, from 1955-1968. This beautiful and rare piece is signed Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi notsjö -63, and is really something exceptional to own or collect.
Kaj Franck (1911-1989) was the artistic director of the Arabia ceramics company. He was one of the leading figures of Finnish design and an influential figure in design and applied arts between 1940-1980. His leading role and influence on Finnish design is celebrated with one of the most prestigious awards named after him (The Kaj Franck Award) .
We have a few more items by Kaj Franck on our selection on 1stdibs. The Kremlin bells...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Arabia Enamelware Bowl, Tatti Mushroom Pattern by Esteri Tomula, Kaj Franck
By Kaj Franck, Esteri Tomula, Arabia of Finland
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Arabia Enamelware Bowl, Tatti Mushroom Pattern by Esteri Tomula, Kaj Franck.
Category
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel, Metal
A Beautiful Vases of Six Colourful Vases by Kaj Franck, KF 245, Nuutajärvi 1957
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in Helsinki, FI
Kaj Franck designed for the Nuutajärvi factory from 1951 until the 1980s. At the same time he worked as a designer for the Arabia factory.
At Nuutajärvi Franck designed art glass obj...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Space Age Modern iittala Lokerovati White Serving Plate Kaj Frank Arabia Finland
By Kaj Franck, Iittala, Arabia of Finland
Located in Miami, FL
Fin Design Mid Century Modern platter created in 1957 by Kaj Franck (1911-1989) the Origami design for Arabia (now owned by iitala) platter is timeless with its slick and geometric S...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
1957 Finnish Art Glass Vase by Kaj Franck
By Kaj Franck
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1957 Finnish blue grey "Usva" art glass vase by Kaj Franck. Made for Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Urjala. Franck was art director from 1950-1976.
6.5" h., 2.5" x 2....
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Set of Five Pink Mold Blown Kaj Franck Vases for Iittala 1947-1952
By Iittala, Kaj Franck
Located in Helsinki, FI
These glass vases are made from blown glass into a mould. Kaj Franck himself worked in the glass factory at Iittala between 1946-48 as a designer.
He of course designed a wide range ...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Scandinavian White Enamel Bowl by Kaj Franck for Finel Arabia Finland
By Kaj Franck, Finel
Located in Vienna, AT
This amazing Bowl in enameled steel was designed by master Finnish designer Kaj Franck for Finel / Arabia and made in Finland during the 1960s. It shows m...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
kaj Franck prisma vase crystal glass nuts jar I notsjo Finland 1963
By Kaj Franck
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Outstanding crystal glass vase, ‘prisma’ as titled. Early example dated 1963 in pristine condition.
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Mid Century Kaj Franck Glass Art vase pink Handblown Finland 1967
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck – A Scandinavian Modern pink art glass object / vase, model N 407 – Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland 1967
A fixed mould-blown, cut and polished pink glass Art-object, model N40...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Cut Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck, Artglass Object, "Lancet" Blue, Handblown, 1957
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, A blue and clear artglass object "Lancet", Model KF219, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland 1957
A free blown and cut and polished blue and clear cased artglass object “Lansetti”...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Mid Century Kaj Franck Glass Art Dish Willowleaf Brown Clear Handblown Finland
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Mid Century Kaj Franck Glass Art Dish Willowleaf Brown Clear Handblown Finland
A free blown, flared, cut and polished light brown and clear cased glass art-object “Pajunlehti” or “W...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Cut Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Large Kaj Franck Blue Midcentury Vase Kartio by Nuutajarvi Nottsjo Finland
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Vienna, AT
A fine, large 11 1/2 inches high Kartio flower vase in blue from the 1950s. Designed by Kaj Franck, executed by Nuutajarvi Nottsjo Finland. In excellent condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Kaj Franck Prisma Vase Crystal Glass Nuutajärvi Notsjö Finland, 1964
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Basel, BS
Outstanding glass piece by the Finnish master Kaj Franck, model ‚Prisma‘ for Nuutajärvi in Notsjö, Finland, 1964.
Mouth-blown and hand-polished crystal with a blue and yellow laye...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Kaj Franck Red & White Enamel Bowl for Arabia, 1960s
By Kaj Franck
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Fruit, salad or centerpiece bowl in enameled steel. Red exterior and white interior. Beautiful strict esthetic lines and a 'light' appearance. Designed by Kaj Franck and manufactured...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel, Steel
Kaj Franck Kaisla Art Glass Bowl, Burgundy / Clear, Signed on Underside
By Kaj Franck
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful small art glass bowl by Kaj Franck. Signature to the underside. Excellent condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
"Pokaali" Goblet by Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland, 1960s
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Stockholm, SE
Glass “Pokaali” goblet by Kaj Franck. Vibrant blue glass bowl with a white base.
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Art-Glass Vase Handblown Green Brown circa 1967
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Art-Glass Vase Handblown Green Brown circa 1967
Artist:
Kaj Franck (Vyborg, Finland 1911-Santorini, Greece 1989) was an influential Finnish designer a...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Cut Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Small Bowl Designed by Kaj Frank for Nuutarjaervi Notsjo
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Small bowl designed by Kaj Frank for Nuutarjaervi Notsjo
A vintage art glass bowl designed by Kaj Frank for Nuutarjaervi Notsjo in the 1960s. Clear and whit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Mid Century Kaj Franck Clear Glass Artobject Obelisk Yellow Handblown Sculpture
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Artobject "Obeliski" (Obelisk), Model KF246, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1963
Artist
Kaj Franck (Vyborg, Finland 1911 – Santorini, Greece 1989) was an influential Finish desig...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Scandinavian Modern "Mutteri' Vase by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Finland
By Kaj Franck
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This is a lovely vase from the 'Mutteri' series by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Finland. Excellent condition with no signs of use/wear.
Professiona...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Kaj Franck Bowls Produced by Nuutajärvi Notsjö in Finland
By Kaj Franck
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 9 glass bowls designed by Kaj Franck. Produced by Nuutajärvi Notsjö in Finland.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Set of three Orange-Red Enameled Bowls by Kaj Franck for Finel, Finland, 1960s
By Kaj Franck, Finel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
A very nice set of three red-orange enameled bowls made by Kaj Franck for Finel, made in Finland in the 1960s. These bowls are in a very good condition with some signs of age and use...
Category
1660s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Antique Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel
Kaj Franck Arabia Metal Bowls Set, 1950s
By Kaj Franck, Arabia of Finland
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Bowls set designed by Kaj Franck for Arabia and made by Finel of Finland, metal painted, circa 1950s
Signed under the base.
Available 3 large: Diameter 21 cm, height 14 cm
Availab...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Kaj Franck Cobalt Blue Glass Vase for Nuutajarvi Notsjo, Finland
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Stunning cobalt blue glass vase by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi, Finland.
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
1950s Kaj Franck Soap Bubble Glass Orb Nuutajarvi Notsjo Finland
By Kaj Franck
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A beautiful sculptural and fluid piece. The "Soap Bubble" vase in olive glass. Extensive signature, K. Franck, Nuutajarvi Notsjo Measures: 7 inch high.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
1950s Kaj Franck Iittala Hand Blown Glass Small Vase Finland
By Kaj Franck
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
1950s Kaj Franck Iittala Hand Blown Glass Small Vase
5.5 h x 5 diameter
Expect preowned unrestored original vintage condition.
See all images provided.
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Glass Art Bowl Handblown Lightblue circa 1965
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Glass Art Bowl Handblown Lightblue clear 1960s
Description
A large round, topaz-blue and clear cased glass, moldblown, turned and cut art-object, mode...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass
Vase in Glass, Prisma Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjö, 1960
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely prisma vase in glass designed by Kaj Franck at Nuutajärvi Notsjö in Finland in 1960. The vase is 16 cm (6.4") high and 14 x 8 cm (5.6" x 3.2...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Model N 402 Glass bowl, Nuutajärvi Notsjö, 1960s
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Scandinavian modern model N 402 glass bowl designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi Notsjö in the 1960s. Blown glass, signed in the bottom, good vintage condition.
Kaj Franck is one of...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaj Franck Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Kaj Franck decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Kaj Franck decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kaj Franck decorative objects, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Kaj Franck were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in finland during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Alvar Aalto, and Gunnel Nyman. Prices for Kaj Franck decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $125 and can go as high as $5,375, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $891.