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Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Finnish, 1915-1985

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.

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Creator: Tapio Wirkkala
Handmade Bowls
Handmade Bowls

Handmade Bowls

$3,000 / set

Handmade Bowls

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Munich, DE

beautiful hand made on order bowls by tapio wirkkala for kultakeskus oy. bowls are stamped with makers maker and in good condition. located in hamburg.

Category

1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Dish Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950s
Dish Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950s

Dish Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950s

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Stockholm, SE

Dish designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950s. Laminated birch. Signed. Dimensions: W: 19.4 cm/ 7 2/3" L: 36.7 cm/ 14 1/2" Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) can be described as one of the icons of Finnish design and a symbol of the international success of post-war Finnish design. Tapio Wirkkala studied sculpture at the Helsinki Central School of Industrial Design from 1933 until 1936, but he was also a self-studied artist in many areas, including glass design. His success as a glass artist began in 1946 when he designed one of his most famous works, the Kantarelli vase, for Iittala. Wirkkala gained worldwide success in 1951 at the Milan Triennial, where he received three Grand Prix awards: for the exhibition architecture, glass design and wooden sculptures. Tapio Wirkkala felt a deep relationship with nature and his absolute favourite spot was located in Finland's deepest forests. From the beautiful landscape, Tapio Wirkkala could find inspiration for his works, often characterised by organic shapes. Leaves, birds, ice and water are recurring themes in his design. Tapio Wirkkala was also a furniture designer and a sculptor. He started his career as a sculptor in the 1930s but abandoned the traditional sculpture in the post-war years – in the early 1950s, alongside with other works, he started to develop an entirely new relationship with sculpture and a new technique to be used. The result was a series of unique plywood sculptures which combined form and movement in the vibrant, densely lineated surface of plywood. Wirkkala’s sculptures represented exceptional abstractism and gave Finnish sculpture...

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

21st Century Bolle Glass Vase in Améthyste / Grey by Tapio Wirkkala

21st Century Bolle Glass Vase in Améthyste / Grey by Tapio Wirkkala

By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in murano, IT

A vase turns into a graceful bottle. Grey meets Amethyst. Two distinct spaces of colour created by Tapio Wirkkala that blend together thanks to the "Incalmo" technique, a process by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini
Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini

Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini

By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Asti, Piemonte

Murano glass bottle designed by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Venini. Signed and with original label. Biography Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) became famous in the early 1950s, Followi...

Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Blown Glass Vase, Tapio Wirkkala
Blown Glass Vase, Tapio Wirkkala

Blown Glass Vase, Tapio Wirkkala

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Los angeles, CA

Blown Glass Vase

Category

1950s Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Red Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini, 1990s
Red Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini, 1990s

Red Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini, 1990s

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE

This exquisite red Murano glass vase is a stunning creation by the renowned Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala for the prestigious Italian glassmaker Venini. Crafted in the 1990s, it em...

Category

1990s Italian Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

XL Paper Bag Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1977
XL Paper Bag Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1977

XL Paper Bag Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1977

By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal 3

Located in Sagaponack, NY

Paper or plastic or…Wirkkala’s fun and whimsical 1977 Pop Art take on tromp l’oeil, something that is not what it appears to be. Here, a used paper bag ...

Category

1970s German Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mini Filande glass vase Tapio Wirkkala
Mini Filande glass vase Tapio Wirkkala

Mini Filande glass vase Tapio Wirkkala

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Mini Finnish Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala This mini Finnish glass vase, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, is a translucent amber piece with a subtle gradient toward a lighter, almost yello...

Category

20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Modernist Medallion by Tapio Wirkkala
Modernist Medallion by Tapio Wirkkala

Modernist Medallion by Tapio Wirkkala

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A rare two-sided medallion in copper having abstracted and geometric decoration, housed in a rosewood and copper presentation case.

Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Bronze

Blown Glass Coreani Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini
Blown Glass Coreani Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini

Blown Glass Coreani Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Stamford, CT

A Tapio Wirkkala blown glass Coreani vase produced by Venini. Etched Venini Italia 83 T.W. to underside.

Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Tapio Wirkkala, Pair of "Korean" Centers for Venini, Murano Glass, 1966
Tapio Wirkkala, Pair of "Korean" Centers for Venini, Murano Glass, 1966

Tapio Wirkkala, Pair of "Korean" Centers for Venini, Murano Glass, 1966

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Brussels, BE

For the measurements of the small vase it's: Diameter 13cm and Height 20cm Tapio Wirkkala, Pair of "Korean" Centers for Venini, Murano Glass, 1966 Born in Hanko, Finland, in 1915,...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Tapio Wirkkala Bronze Bowl TW491
Tapio Wirkkala Bronze Bowl TW491

Tapio Wirkkala Bronze Bowl TW491

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Toronto, Ontario

A very nice and rather large solid bronze bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy, ca. 1974 Sculpted and hand turned with applied bronze feet. Stamped to bottom .

Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

21st Century Bolle Glass Vase in Red/Straw-Yellow by Tapio Wirkkala

21st Century Bolle Glass Vase in Red/Straw-Yellow by Tapio Wirkkala

By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in murano, IT

A vase, a bottle. Red and sheer straw yellow. Two distinct spaces of colour created by Tapio Wirkkala that blend together thanks to the "Incalmo" technique, a process by which two pi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Tapio Wirkkala Blown and Frosted Glass Vase
Tapio Wirkkala Blown and Frosted Glass Vase

Tapio Wirkkala Blown and Frosted Glass Vase

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Tapio Wirkkala Blown and Frosted Glass Vase Beautiful Vase from the fifties, with an innovative shape and modernist colors where red predominates but I cut it with that light blue th...

Category

20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

21st Century Bolle Glass Vase in Apple Green/Straw-Yellow by Tapio Wirkkala

21st Century Bolle Glass Vase in Apple Green/Straw-Yellow by Tapio Wirkkala

By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in murano, IT

Perfection lies in the middle, striking the perfect balance. A vase turns into a bottle for Tapio Wirkkala. Straw Yellow and Apple Green. Two distinct spaces of colour that blend tog...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1957
Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1957

Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1957

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Stockholm, SE

Vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Sweden, 1957. Sterling silver. Dimensions: H: 24 cm/ 9 3/8" W: 9 cm/ 3 1/2" D: 4 cm/ 1 1/2" Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) can be described as one of the icons of Finnish design and a symbol of the international success of post-war Finnish design. Tapio Wirkkala studied sculpture at the Helsinki Central School of Industrial Design from 1933 until 1936, but he was also a self-studied artist in many areas, including glass design. His success as a glass artist began in 1946 when he designed one of his most famous works, the Kantarelli vase, for Iittala. Wirkkala gained worldwide success in 1951 at the Milan Triennial, where he received three Grand Prix awards: for the exhibition architecture, glass design and wooden sculptures. Tapio Wirkkala felt a deep relationship with nature and his absolute favourite spot was located in Finland's deepest forests. From the beautiful landscape, Tapio Wirkkala could find inspiration for his works, often characterised by organic shapes. Leaves, birds, ice and water are recurring themes in his design. Tapio Wirkkala was also a furniture designer and a sculptor. He started his career as a sculptor in the 1930s but abandoned the traditional sculpture in the post-war years – in the early 1950s, alongside with other works, he started to develop an entirely new relationship with sculpture and a new technique to be used. The result was a series of unique plywood sculptures which combined form and movement in the vibrant, densely lineated surface of plywood. Wirkkala’s sculptures represented exceptional abstractism and gave Finnish sculpture...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Catchall Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala
Sterling Silver Catchall Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala

Sterling Silver Catchall Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Hammered Sterling Silver Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala (1915 - 1985). Wirkkala was an iconic post war designer whose Finnish designs are still as influential today. The bowl has a hammered ...

Category

20th Century Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Unusual Pair Danish Modern Candlesticks by Tapio Wirkkala . Original Purple
Unusual Pair Danish Modern Candlesticks by Tapio Wirkkala . Original Purple

Unusual Pair Danish Modern Candlesticks by Tapio Wirkkala . Original Purple

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Buffalo, NY

Unusual Pair Danish Modern Candlesticks by Tapio Wirkkala . Original paint , finish / patina,, Retains original label. Great color and form.

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

21st Century Bolle Vase in Amber Yellow/Apple Green/Violet by Tapio Wirkkala

21st Century Bolle Vase in Amber Yellow/Apple Green/Violet by Tapio Wirkkala

By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in murano, IT

A vase turns into a bottle for Tapio Wirkkala. Apple Green, Yellow and Purple. Three distinct spaces of colour that blend together thanks to the "Incalmo" technique, a process by whi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Tapio Wirkkala red Vase
Tapio Wirkkala red Vase

Tapio Wirkkala red Vase

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE

Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) was a renowned Finnish designer and sculptor known for his contributions to the world of design, particularly in glass and ceramic works. Tapio Wirkkala ...

Category

1990s Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Tapio Wirkkala for Venini 'Coreani' Vases, circa 1970s
Tapio Wirkkala for Venini 'Coreani' Vases, circa 1970s

Tapio Wirkkala for Venini 'Coreani' Vases, circa 1970s

By Tapio Wirkkala, Venini

Located in Parma, IT

Pair of Venini vases "Coreani" design Tapio Wirkkala, circa 1970s. In two-tone blown glass with overlapping spirals. Signature engraved on bottom and Venini label...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Tapio Wirkkala's TW 476 Bowl in Bronze
Tapio Wirkkala's TW 476 Bowl in Bronze

Tapio Wirkkala's TW 476 Bowl in Bronze

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Toronto, Ontario

A terrific handmade Bronze bowl for Kultakeskus Oy. These bowls are custom ordered and hand hammered to shape. An exceptional piece. Executed in 1974.

Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Tapio Wirkkala decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Tapio Wirkkala 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 Tapio Wirkkala decorative objects, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 146 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 15 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original decorative objects by Tapio Wirkkala were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Timo Sarpaneva, Kaj Franck, and Alvar Aalto. Prices for Tapio Wirkkala decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $57 and can go as high as $29,650, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,800.