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Tapio Wirkkala Barware

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
Tapio Wirkkala Freeform Molded Plywood Tray, 1950s
Tapio Wirkkala Freeform Molded Plywood Tray, 1950s

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

Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Barware

Materials

Plywood

Tapio Wirkkala, Set of Silver Pitchers and Cups, 18 Pieces, Finland 1970s
Tapio Wirkkala, Set of Silver Pitchers and Cups, 18 Pieces, Finland 1970s

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...

Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Barware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 12 iittala Finland "ULTIMA THULE" Whiskey Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala NOS
Set of 12 iittala Finland "ULTIMA THULE" Whiskey Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala NOS

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...

Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Barware

Materials

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NOS iittala Finland "ULTIMA THULE" Glass Candle Holder in Box by Tapio Wirkkala
NOS iittala Finland "ULTIMA THULE" Glass Candle Holder in Box by Tapio Wirkkala

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" ...

Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Barware

Materials

Glass

1970s Swedish Iittala "Seita" Series Frosted Ice Bucket by Tapio Wirkkala
1970s Swedish Iittala "Seita" Series Frosted Ice Bucket by Tapio Wirkkala

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 ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Barware

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala glassworks
Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala glassworks

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 Barware

Materials

Glass

8 Ultima Thule Glasses Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Rare
8 Ultima Thule Glasses Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Rare

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...

Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala Barware

Materials

Glass

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Tapio Wirkkala "Icebreaker" Glassware for Iittala, circa 1960s

Tapio Wirkkala "Icebreaker" Glassware for Iittala, circa 1960s

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Carafe and Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala

Carafe and Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala

Sold

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Carafe and Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala

By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

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A beautifully executed carafe and four drinking glasses all having organic free-form bases evocative of winter ice.

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Stoppered Flask by Tapio Wirkkala

Stoppered Flask by Tapio Wirkkala

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Located in Sagaponack, NY

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Tapio Wirkkala barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Tapio Wirkkala barware 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 barware, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original barware by Tapio Wirkkala were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in finland during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider barware by and Iittala. Prices for Tapio Wirkkala barware can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $240 and can go as high as $22,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $638.