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.
Set of Three Vintage Rosenthal Ceramic Sculptural Paper Bags by Tapio Wirkkaia
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage set of 3 complete white glazed ceramic crushed bags of white porcelain were manufactured by Rosenthal and designed by Tapio Wirkkala in the 1970s. They are called " The ...
Ceramic
White ceramic '60s 12-piece coffee & tea service by Wirkkala for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Splendid 12-piece white & grey ceramic tea & coffee service with rare decoration, made in the 1960s and 1970s by Rosenthal based on a design by Tapio Wirkkala. The service is incom...
Ceramic
Grey & white ceramic 1960s coffee & tea service by Wirkkala for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Splendid ceramic service with rare decoration, made in the 1950s and 1960s by Rosenthal based on a design by Tapio Wirkkala. The service is incomplete and consists of the following p...
Ceramic
Set of 3 Paper Bag Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Germany, 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Set of three paper bag vases designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Rosenthal, Germany, 1977. The large vase is 15cm high, 10cm wide and 6cm deep. The small vase is 10cm h...
Ceramic
Set of Three "Paper Bag" Stoneware Ceramic Vases by Tapio Wirkkala, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of three of late mid century "paper bag" stoneware vases in beige / light brown by Tapio Wirkkala produced by Rosenthal Studio in Germany, 1970s. In good original condition....
Stoneware
Set of Three "Paper Bag" Stoneware Ceramic Vases by Tapio Wirkkala, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of three late mid century "paper bag" stoneware vases by Tapio Wirkkala produced by Rosenthal Studio in Germany, 1970s. In good original condition. All signed. Dimensions: ...
Ceramic
Coffee service in ceramic by Marius Giuge, Vallauris, 1960
By Marius Giuge
Located in PARIS, FR
Elegant and timeless, this emerald green glazed ceramic tea set by French ceramist Marius Giuge dates from the 1960s and reflects the exceptional craftsmanship of the Vallauris regio...
Ceramic
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
$455 / set
H 7.88 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
Set of Two Vintage "Paper Bag" Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal - 1970's
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Set of Two Vintage Beige/Brown "Paper Bag" Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal pair of vintage "Paper Bag" vases designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal. These exceptional pieces...
Porcelain
Vintage Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee or Tea Set, 1960s
By Rosenthal
Located in Bastogne, BE
Björn Wiinblad for Rosenthal - Studio Linie, Germany coffee or tea set. Large vintage German service of the famous Rosenthal Linie factory from Germany...
Porcelain
Bruno Gambone Stoneware or Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone tall stoneware or ceramic vase or bottle in dark brown and matte off-white glaze with incised line around upper area below the bottle neck, Italy, 1970s. Marked with gl...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A "Julia" porcelain plate with surrealism designs by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, an iconic series from 'Temi e variazioni' (“Themes and Va...
Ceramic
Marcello Fantoni Ceramic Vase, Glazed Stoneware, circa 1970s
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in New York, NY
Italian artist Marcello Fantoni ceramic vase is glazed stoneware made circa 1970s. This piece was acquired directly from the artist by the seller, who was a personal friend of Marcel...
Ceramic
36 Pieces Porcelain Rosenthal Tea Coffee Set for 12
By Rosenthal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Rosenthal porcelain tea or coffee set for 12.
Porcelain
$304
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 Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
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
$1,055
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
$455
H 3.35 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
Tapio Wirkkalla for Rosenthal Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Black 'Pollo' Vase
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful sculptural Midcentury Modern vintage matt black 'Pollo' vase designed by Finish designer Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Germany as part of their 'studioline' in the early 196...
Porcelain
$4,790 / set
H 12.21 in Dm 6.3 in
Set of 4 Brown Stoneware Vases by Yngve Blixt, Höganäs, Sweden, 1970s
By Yngve Blixt
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of four stoneware vases with amazing 'leopard' glaze. Made by Yngve Blixt, in his studio in Höganäs, Sweden, 1974-1975. Excellent condition. Incised Yngve Blixt, Höganäs. Yn...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sold
H 7.49 in W 10.24 in D 8.67 in
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Linie Pollo Biscuit Porcelain Vase
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1970's biscuit porcelain "Pollo" vase by Tapio Wirkkala. Manufactured by Rosenthal Studio-Linie. The iconic vase shows no damage.
Porcelain
Sold
H 8 in W 5.5 in D 3 in
Rosenthal Vintage White Glazed Ceramic Crushed Do Not Litter Bags Signed Pair of
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous pair of signed Rosenthal white glazed crushed ceramic bags are called the Do Not Litter Bags. Both are signed in gold Rosenthal on the lowe...
Ceramic
Rosenthal Glazed Porcelain Crushed Paper Bag Vase Sculpture
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in North Miami, FL
This iconic Rosenthal hallmarked white glazed porcelain crushed and crinkled paper bag sculpture and or vase or art object is signed on the bottom. Tapio Wirkkala who designed it for...
Porcelain
Tapio Wirkkala Porcelain Paper Bag Vases
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Paper Bag Vases from the Rosenthal DO NOT LITTER series designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Smaller brown bag measures 2.63" x 4.13" x 6.13" Pr...
Porcelain
Large Ceramic Bag Vase by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Dallas, TX
This is the largest example of the bag vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal.