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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
three Tapio Wirkkala Tree Stump Kalvolan Kantos glass vases Iittala Finland
three Tapio Wirkkala Tree Stump Kalvolan Kantos glass vases Iittala Finland

three Tapio Wirkkala Tree Stump Kalvolan Kantos glass vases Iittala Finland

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

Set of three iittala glass vases by Tapio Wirkkala. each with etched signature Approx dimensions.. Smallest: 5 inches diameter x 4-1/4 inches high engraved on bottom "287/1982 TW 1...

Category

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

Materials

Glass

Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1970s Centerpiece
Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1970s Centerpiece

Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1970s Centerpiece

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Parma, IT

Crystal centerpiece designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1970s. Central part with "ice" effect. In excellent conditions.

Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Tapio Wirkkala Glass Vase Produced by Iittala in Finland
Tapio Wirkkala Glass Vase Produced by Iittala in Finland

Tapio Wirkkala Glass Vase Produced by Iittala in Finland

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare glass vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Produced by Iittala in Finland.

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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

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

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

Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Vase for Rosenthal Studio Line
Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Vase for Rosenthal Studio Line

Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Vase for Rosenthal Studio Line

By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal

Located in San Francisco, CA

Tapio Wirkkala design Pollo vase for Rosenthal Studio Line, Germany. Rare larger size vase or vessel seldom seen compared with the much smaller common model. A wonderful object or v...

Category

1970s German Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Transparent Finnish glass vase by TAPIO WIRKKALA
Transparent Finnish glass vase by TAPIO WIRKKALA

Transparent Finnish glass vase by TAPIO WIRKKALA

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Transparent Finnish Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala This Finnish glass vase, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, is a transparent piece with an irregular rectangular shape. Its outer surface fe...

Category

20th Century Finnish Post-Modern Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Art 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

Modernist Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy, 1960s
Modernist Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy, 1960s

Modernist Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy, 1960s

By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An impeccably crafted sculptural small bowl having a bold asymmetrical form and rendered in warmly patinated copper.

Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 'Karelia' Porcelain Leaf-Pattern Dish, 1970s
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 'Karelia' Porcelain Leaf-Pattern Dish, 1970s

Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 'Karelia' Porcelain Leaf-Pattern Dish, 1970s

By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal

Located in London, GB

Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, c. 1970 ‘Karelia’ leaf-pattern dish White porcelain Very good condition with only very minor marks Dimensions, approx..: lenght 28cm, width 9cm...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

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

Tapio Wirkkala - Art Object - Sculpture 3400 - 1950`s
Tapio Wirkkala - Art Object - Sculpture 3400 - 1950`s

Tapio Wirkkala - Art Object - Sculpture 3400 - 1950`s

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Helsinki, FI

Tapio Wirkkala Iittala Art object - Sculptur 1952 Cast crystal glass - cut - engraved by Theodor Käppi Signed Tapio Wirkkala - Iittala 3400 According to Finnish Glass Museum only...

Category

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

Materials

Crystal

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

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

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

Tapio Wirkkala Vases, Marmora 3544
Tapio Wirkkala Vases, Marmora 3544

Tapio Wirkkala Vases, Marmora 3544

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Hyvinkää, FI

Tapio Wirkkala’s Marmora 3544 vase, designed by the renowned Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala, is a stunning piece from the 1960s. This vase, produced by Iittala between 1967 and 1983...

Category

Mid-19th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Antique Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Clear Art Glass Vase with Engraved Decoration, 1957
Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Clear Art Glass Vase with Engraved Decoration, 1957

Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Clear Art Glass Vase with Engraved Decoration, 1957

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in København, Copenhagen

Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. Clear art glass vase with engraved decoration in the form of stripes. Signed Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala, 1957.  Finnish design. Measures: 22 cm. x 4 cm. In p...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Vase from the Coreani series by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini
Vase from the Coreani series by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini

Vase from the Coreani series by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini

By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Torino, IT

Vase from the Coreani series designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini. Elegant collectible blown glass vase with blue and green bands that create a spiral with overlapping colors and s...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

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

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

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, "Pavoni", 1989
Tapio Wirkkala, "Pavoni", 1989

Tapio Wirkkala, "Pavoni", 1989

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Paris, FR

Tapio Wirkkala 'Pavoni' Vase, c. 1989 Execution: Venini, blown glass, red and cream. Signed: Venini murano, incised signature. (Picture 3 & 4) H : 20 cm (7.9") Overall Very goo...

Category

1990s Finnish Post-Modern Tapio Wirkkala Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Tapio Wirkkala, Venini

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

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 Tapio Wirkkala, Venini

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

Tapio Wirkkala Finland circa 1970 glass with bubbles bowl.
Tapio Wirkkala Finland circa 1970 glass with bubbles bowl.

Tapio Wirkkala Finland circa 1970 glass with bubbles bowl.

By Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Tapio Wirkkala finland blue and green glass circa 1970 bowl with bubbles.

Category

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

Materials

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

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

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

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

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 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.