Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

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.

Creator: Tapio Wirkkala

Freeform Crystal Iceberg Ashtray / Catch All by Tapio Wirkkala Iittala Finland

$200Sale Price|20% Off

Freeform Crystal Iceberg Ashtray / Catch All by Tapio Wirkkala Iittala Finland

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in San Diego, CA

Gorgeous freeform crystal iceberg ashtray / catch all by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Finland, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and meas...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Crystal

Tapio Wirkkala Velvet Art Glass Vase "Jäkälä" model 3516, Iittala 1950s Finland

$907

H 3.94 in Dm 5.91 in

Tapio Wirkkala Velvet Art Glass Vase "Jäkälä" model 3516, Iittala 1950s Finland

By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful art glass vase model 3516, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Iittala in Finland in the 1950s. In the manufacturing process the glass is blown in to a special...

Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

Tapio Wirkkala Glass Iittala Finland Liqueur Cocktail Glass

$29Sale Price|20% Off

H 4 in Dm 3.25 in

Tapio Wirkkala Glass Iittala Finland Liqueur Cocktail Glass

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a Tapio Wirkkala liqueur cocktail glass for Iittala, Finland . Dimensions: 4" H x 3.25" diameter. Please visit take a look at our listings, we have an ama...

Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala glassworks

$450

H 4.25 in Dm 4.75 in

Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala glassworks

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A beautifully executed vessel or ice bowl in the form of a drinking glass having an organic free-form base evocative of winter ice.

Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Tapio Wirkkala Line-engraved Vase Model 3327, Iittala 1950s Finland

$1,165

H 3.15 in Dm 5.12 in

Tapio Wirkkala Line-engraved Vase Model 3327, Iittala 1950s Finland

By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful Line-engraved art glass vase model 3327, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Iittala in Finland in the 1950s. in the manufacturing process the glass is blown i...

Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

Tapio Wirkkala Melting Ice Vase, Miracus Model 3433, Iittala 1970s Finland

$1,930

H 6.89 in W 11.82 in D 11.42 in

Tapio Wirkkala Melting Ice Vase, Miracus Model 3433, Iittala 1970s Finland

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful art glass vase "Miracus", model 3433, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Iittala in Finland in the 1970s. The vase is mouth blown into an engraved wooden mold...

Category

1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967

$425

H 9.06 in Dm 4.73 in

Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Vintage Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967 A large vintage art glass vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

Iittala Glassware creamer Ultima Thule by Tapio Wirkkala Scandinavian Modern

$60Sale Price|20% Off

H 3.25 in W 2 in D 2.25 in

Iittala Glassware creamer Ultima Thule by Tapio Wirkkala Scandinavian Modern

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a creamer from the Ultima Thule glassware collection designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. Made in Finland. Scandinavian modern, mid-century modern design....

Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

Ice Glass Bowl "Lunaria" by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1972

$525

H 3.15 in Dm 11.03 in

Ice Glass Bowl "Lunaria" by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1972

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Berghuelen, DE

A vintage "Lunaria" bowl designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in 1972. Marked with etched signature 'TAPIO WIRKKALA' on the rim. Iittala model number 3449. An authentic ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

1960s Tapio Wirkkala Set of 4 Iittala Highball Tumbler Glasses Finland

$120Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 6.88 in Dm 2.38 in

1960s Tapio Wirkkala Set of 4 Iittala Highball Tumbler Glasses Finland

By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a Set of 4 Glasses Highball Tumbler designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. Finland, Scandinavian modern. No signature visible. Dimensions: 2.38 Diameter x 6...

Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Tapio Wirkkala Footed Art Glass Bowl for Iittala

$3,200

H 6.75 in W 14.5 in D 12.5 in

Tapio Wirkkala Footed Art Glass Bowl for Iittala

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Toledo, OH

Spectacular large cut and blown-molded sculptural footed bowl cast in clear glass by Finnish artist and designer Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) for Iittala. Model number 3543. This piece...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1954

$1,175

H 10.83 in Dm 5.91 in

Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1954

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Vintage Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1954 A large vintage art glass vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

Modern Ultima Thule Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland 7 Glass Bowls

$280Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 3.5 in Dm 7.5 in

Modern Ultima Thule Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland 7 Glass Bowls

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Miami, FL

Tapio Wirkkala's 1960s Scandinavian Modern creation of Ultima Thule for Iittala, Finland. This design was meant to interpret the melting ice of a snow covered Finnish island. This de...

Category

1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

7 DESSERT BOWLS iittala ultima thule tapio wirkkala 1960s

$224

H 1.97 in W 4.53 in D 4.53 in

7 DESSERT BOWLS iittala ultima thule tapio wirkkala 1960s

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

Located in Mannheim, DE

7 'Ultima Thule' dessert bowls designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala in 1968. Dimensions in cm: Height 5 cm, diameter 11.5 cm. Dimensions in inches: Height 1.96", diameter 4.52"....

Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

1970s Tapio Wirkkala Set of 5 Niva Liquor Shot Glasses Iittala Finland

$120Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 2.75 in Dm 2 in

1970s Tapio Wirkkala Set of 5 Niva Liquor Shot Glasses Iittala Finland

By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in Chula Vista, CA

1970s Tapio Wirkkala Set of 5 Niva Liquor Shot Glasses Iittala Finland 2.75 h x 2.25 diameter Preowned vintage condition set of five Please see all images.

Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass

Midcentury Modern Porcelain Ashtray Jewelry Catchall Tapio Wirkkala Studio Line

$325 / item

H 1.44 in Dm 4 in

Midcentury Modern Porcelain Ashtray Jewelry Catchall Tapio Wirkkala Studio Line

By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala

Located in New York, NY

*Three (3) available, each sold separately, as per listing. German white porcelain ashtray (or catchall) in the 'variation' pattern, Midcentury Modern period, attributed to Finnish...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items

Silver ashtray by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus

Sold

H 0.6 in W 2.17 in D 3.55 in

Silver ashtray by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus

By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy

Located in PARIS, FR

This silver ashtray, designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1957 for Kultakeskus Oy, stands out for its sleek and refined design. Although versatile, it is particularly popular as a detached ...

Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tapio Wirkkala Desk Dish, Model TW 488

Sold

H 1.18 in W 3.9 in D 3.9 in

Tapio Wirkkala Desk Dish, Model TW 488

By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy

Located in Amarillo, TX

Bronze and pinewood bowl by Tapio Wirkkala, model TW 488, handmade to order. Designed in 1958, originally manufactured in different sizes. Kultakeskus Oy, Hämeenlinna, Finland...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Bronze

1950s Finnish Sterling Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy

Sold

H 2.5 in W 4.5 in D 3.75 in

1950s Finnish Sterling Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy

By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A lovely and beautifully rendered small-scaled sterling bowl having a naturalistic stemmed leaf form.

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Ashtrays

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tapio Wirkkala ashtrays for sale on 1stDibs.

Tapio Wirkkala ashtrays are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tapio Wirkkala ashtrays, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original ashtrays by Tapio Wirkkala were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in finland during the 20th century. Prices for Tapio Wirkkala ashtrays can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $250 and can go as high as $595, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $423.