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.
Tapio Wirkkala Commissioned Cigar Box In Silver and Teak, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
Very rare and unique cigar box in teak and silver. Designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Very sleak and elegant piece for someone who appreciates the "finer things" in life. The item is mark...
Silver
2 boxes and a vase by tapio wirkkala for rosenthal studio line
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Munich, DE
beautiful set of 3 tapio wirkkala porcelain pieces for studio line / rosenthal. 1 vase 6cm diameter + 16cm high. 2 boxes with lid. one 11cm diameter + 16cm high - the other 19cm diam...
Porcelain
$485
H 8.67 in W 4.73 in D 2.56 in
Set of 2 Original 1977 Tapio Wirkkala ''Paper Bag'' Vases Black Brown, Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Andernach, DE
Design vintage classic by Tapio for Rosenthal, Germany. Set of 2 so called ''Paper Bag'' vases, the brown one, 1977 approx.. It comes with a roughly textured brown paper bag finish and a grey inner. The black vase is a real rarity indeed in this size and colour. It is all black porcelain: the outer matte deep black, the inner glossy, production 1977-1980s approx.. Black model #: 3581/22. Lovely set in great condition. Dimensions small brown vase...
Porcelain
Lucite and Chrome Box, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Rare decorative lucite and chrome cube-shaped box. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Chrome
‘Stellaria’ Candle Tealight Holder by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1970s
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in London, GB
Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, c. 1970 ‘Stellaria’ candle tealight holder Clear textured glass Excellent condition Dimensions, approx..: Diameter 10.5cm, height 6.5cm, weight 2...
Blown Glass
$299
H 4.14 in W 3.35 in D 2.17 in
Mid-Century Tapio Wirkkala “Paper Bag" Vase For Rosenthal, Germany c.1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in London, GB
For sale is an iconic Mid-Century porcelain “Paper Bag" Vase designed by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala, circa 1977, for Rosenthal’s Studio Line "DO NOT LITTER" range. This example...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Rosenthal Paper bag vase by Tapio Wirkkala , 1970’s
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 10,5 cm H, 6,5cm W, 6cm D Condition: Mint Material: Porcelain
Porcelain
$1,041
H 3.15 in W 8.27 in D 1.97 in
Black Loon Porcelain Figure by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Black Loon Porcelain Figure by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970s. Wirkkala, the Finnish designer and artist, created an iconic figure of a loon for the German porcelain company Ros...
Porcelain
Scandinavian Midcentury Teak Cigar Box, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A wellmade solid teak box with one large compartment lined with cork. Made anonymously in Denmark during the 1960s in a style reminiscent of Alfred Klitgaard, Kay Bojesen and Finn Ju...
Teak, Cork
$586
H 5.91 in W 4.06 in D 2.56 in
Original 1977 Tapio Wirkkala "Paper Bag" Ceramic Vase for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Malmö, SE
Original Tapio Wirkkala "Paper Bag" porcelain Vase for Rosenthal. Early and rare production, made between 1979 and 1980. Excellent condition. Marked 'Rosenthal' 'Studio Linie' and ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$360 / set
H 3.25 in W 4.63 in D 3.75 in
Pair of Tapio Wirkkala White Porcelain "Pollo" Vases for Rosenthal Studio Linie
By Rosenthal
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing set of two midcentury studio art porcelain vases made in Germany, by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, circa 1980s. Vases are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, or ...
Porcelain
$516
H 7.68 in W 5.12 in D 3.15 in
Mid-Century Tapio Wirkkala “Paper Bag" Vase For Rosenthal, Germany c.1970s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in London, GB
For sale the iconic “Bag Vase”, designed by the great Finnish glassmaker, industrial designer and artist, Tapio Wirkkala, circa 1977, for Rosenthal’s Studio Line "DO NOT LITTER" rang...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Cigar Box
By Giordano Viganò
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant cigar box in ebony Macassar wood, with its distinctive dark brown stripes, is decorated with horn accents around its perimeter. The lid is linke...
Ebony, Animal Skin, Wood
Italian Silver Box Raised, 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Italian silver box raised on 4 feet, 1970s Italian silver box in curvy octagonal shape with repousse design of flowers and scrolls The purity de...
Silver
Exceptional Tapio Wirkkala wenge and silver Cigar case/trinket box.
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A very rare Cigar box or Trinket box by Finnish Master Craftsman Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. This is one of only 75 examples created of this form. Solid finger jointed w...
Wenge