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.
$192Sale Price / item|20% Off
Tapio Wirkkala Freeform Molded Plywood Tray, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in San Diego, CA
Fincraft molded plywood tray designed in the 1950s by Tapio Wirkkala for Soinne et Kni, Helsinki. Embossed stamp on the bottom. Finland
Plywood
Tapio Wirkkala, Set of Silver Pitchers and Cups, 18 Pieces, Finland 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Amarillo, TX
Tapio Wirkkala. Set of silver pitchers and cups, 18 pieces. Kultakeskus Oy, Hämeenlinna, Finland. Marked with makers mark, Finnish assay mark, 925H, Hämeenlinna town mark, year...
Sterling Silver
Set of 12 iittala Finland "ULTIMA THULE" Whiskey Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala NOS
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in St. Louis, MO
Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) ULTIMA THULE collection for iittala Finland c. 1968. Set of 12 new old stock 7oz bar, rocks or cocktail glasses model Ultima Thule #2032 , still in the or...
Glass
NOS iittala Finland "ULTIMA THULE" Glass Candle Holder in Box by Tapio Wirkkala
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in St. Louis, MO
Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) ULTIMA THULE collection for iittala Finland c. 1968. New old stock glass candle holder still in the original packing with iittala Red I label. Takes 1.5" ...
Glass
1970s Swedish Iittala "Seita" Series Frosted Ice Bucket by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in London, England
1970s ice bucket designed by Tapio Wirkkala, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Scandinavian design. The ice bucket comes from the "Seita" series—an exploration of ...
Metal, Chrome
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.
Glass
$560Sale Price / set|30% Off
8 Ultima Thule Glasses Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Rare
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Doraville, GA
A set of 8 "highball" or "beer" glasses designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. The glass pattern is called Ultima Thule. "The Iittala Ultima Thule...
Glass
Egyptian Serving Tray in Hand Engraved Brass, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hand-engraved Egyptian serving tray in brass. Imported as a souvenir to Denmark circa 1950-60. It features ornamented handles, hieroglyphs and pharaoh depictions. Measurements: L: 47...
Brass
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish Silver Leaf Shape Handled Bon Bon Dish
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning mid-century Finnish silver leaf shaped handled bon bon dish designed by Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) dated 1965. The dish is of a simple leaf shaped design formed like a hea...
Silver
$1,400Sale Price / set|46% Off
H 2.5 in W 3.5 in D 4.5 in
Tapio Wirkkala Pair of 'Leaf' Dishes in Silver for Kultakeskus Oy, 1959 - 1960
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant pair of leaf form dishes, models TW-5 (l.) and TW-4 (r.), designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. Both are in fine condition with all requisite hallmarks and "TW" s...
Silver
Kantarelli Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1951
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Kantarelli Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1951 A large vintage 'Kantarelli' (chantertelle) vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in 1951. Mold blown ...
Art Glass
$4,232 / set
H 3.35 in Dm 8.47 in
Colorful Handmade Eva Hidström Sterling Silver Enameled Bowl Set, Finland 1970s
By Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful set of Eva Hidström highly collectable sterling silver handmade and hammered bowls with colourful enamel on the inside. Rarely on offer as a s...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Lot of Two Imperial Russian Silver Vodka Cups
By Israel Eseevich Zakhoder
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Lot of Two Imperial Russian Silver Vodka Cups Silver vodka cup, tapered cylindrical body with flared lip finely engraved with typical alt...
Silver
Italian 1970s Owl Ice Bucket by Mauro Manetti
By Mauro Manetti
Located in London, GB
Attractive wise owl silver ice-bucket. Designed by Mauro Manetti in the 1960s (signed at base). Silvered metal with inner metal insulation linings full intact. Made in Italy. Very ...
Metal
Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
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 ...
Art Glass
$300 / set
H 2.25 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of Eight "Kekkerit" Shot Glasses by Timo Sarpeneva for Iittala of Finland
By Iittala
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice set of eight "Kekkerit" shot glasses by Timo Sarpeneva for Iittala of Finland, circa 1960s. The glasses have a clear textured finish and are in very good condition with no cr...
Crystal
Willy Rizzo Purple Frosted Lucite Large Ice Bucket, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Fabulous large ice-bucket made in a combination of ice-effect purple lucite and clear lucite. This incredibly charming and unique piece is attributed to Willy Rizzo and was produced ...
Acrylic, Lucite
Mauro Manetti Duck Ice Bucket, Italy, 1970s
By Mauro Manetti
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant silver plated duck ice bucket by Mauro Manetti, with an metal inlay inside and signed on the bottom.
Metal, Silver Plate
$949
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...
Art Glass
Set of 4 Tall Clear Textured Highball Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in San Diego, CA
beautiful set of 4 glasses by Tapio Wirkkala textured glasses. Excellent condition no chips or cracks.
Glass
Iittala Ultima Thule Rocks Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tapio Wirkkala was considered the pioneer of modern Finnish industrial art. Internationally recognized for his glass designs, Wirkkala’s greatest inspiration always came from his native Finland. Wirkkala defied the rules of glassblowing with his iconic Ultima Thule...
Glass
Six Tapio Wirkkala Shot Glasses in Original Box
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Six Tapio Wirkkala shot glasses in original box.
Tapio Wirkkala Tray Soinne et Kni, Finland, circa 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in San Diego, CA
Signed with molded manufacturer’s mark to underside: [Fingraft Tray Plastic Coated Unbreakable Resistant Heat Alcohole Water Wear Made in Finland Soinne & Knioy Helsinki]. Beutiful a...
Wood
Tapio Wirkkala Thule Highball Ice Glasses
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A set of eight highball glasses in the style of frozen ice typical of Wirkkala's work for Iittala, a Classic design from one of Finland's top design artists, made in Finland.
Sold
H 1.75 in Dm 2.5 in
Tapio Wirkkala Set of Six Shot Glasses for Iittala in Original Presentation Box
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of six mold-blown "Romantica" shot glasses by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland, offered in their original box with original brochure insert. Elegant, cinched design with 2" ...
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala "Icebreaker" Glassware for Iittala, circa 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in New York, NY
Tapio Wirkkala used ice Formations and water flow as his inspiration for his "IceBreaker" glassware for Iittala circa 1960s. They are made of turned mold-blown clear glass....
Blown Glass
Carafe and Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully executed carafe and four drinking glasses all having organic free-form bases evocative of winter ice.
Glass
Stoppered Flask by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and beautifully rendered heavy bottomed blown glass flask having an expressive stopper made of bog oak.
Blown Glass
Set of 14 Glasses designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Dronten, NL
8 cordial glasses, 3 cocktail glasses and 3 pilsner glasses. Designed in 1952, manufactured circa 1980. Tapio glassware received the Grand Prix Award at the Milan Triennale in 1954. ...
Glass