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 Crystal Ice Bucket with Tongs, Finland, 1950's
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tapio Wirkkala Crystal Ice Bucket with Clasp, Finland, 1950's, original tongs
Crystal
Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala – “Tapio” Glassware Service
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala – “Tapio” Glassware Service Complete 36-Piece Set Original Boxes Made in Finland A rare opportunity to acquire an exceptionally complete and beautifully ...
Crystal
$285Sale Price / item|20% Off
Vintage Cristal 1960s Vase Mod. 3586 by T. Wirkkala for Karhula- Iittala
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Vintage cristal vase mod. 3586 designed by T. Wirkkala for Karhula- Iittala. Good condition: alone slightly opaque at the edge.
Glass
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"....
Glass
1970s Tapio Wirkkala Set of 5 Niva Liquor Shot Glasses Iittala Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
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.
Art Glass
Lalique Ganymede Crystal Ice Bucket / Champagne Cooler / Vase
Located in New York, NY
Vintage crystal ice bucket, vase or champagne cooler from Lalique entitled Ganymede, dating from the 1980s. 9 in tall, 9 3/4 in wide and 8 3/4 in deep. 9.8 lbs. In excellent condi...
Crystal
$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 Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
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...
Glass
$995
H 6.5 in Dm 5 in
Ice Bucket, Red Crystal, Baroque Style, Czech Republic, Red Contemporary Crystal
By Artel
Located in New York, NY
Decorative ice bucket in red crystal in a Baroque style. The ice bucket is made of crystal. Produced by Artel in Czech Republic. It is a contemporary item.
Blown Glass
Vintage Vase "Orkidea" by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large vintage "Orkidea" (Orchid) vase designed by Timo Sarpameva for Iittala in 1953. Marked with incised signature 'TIMO SARPANEVA 236 / 1990' on the base. An authentic piece of F...
Art Glass
$2,436
H 6.5 in W 5.71 in D 5.71 in
Vintage Boxed Cartier Crystal Ice Bucket Sterling Silver-Gilt Tongs 20th Century
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
An elegant vintage Cartier ice bucket, presented in its original fitted box, complete with sterling silver-gilt ice tongs. This piece was retailed as part ...
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Ormolu
Lalique Frejus Set of 6 Aperitif / Liquor Glasses
By Lalique
Located in Mérida, YU
This is a set of six exquisite appetitive glasses from the renowned Lalique brand. Crafted from clear crystal and featuring a stylish twist stemware design, this vintage set is a mu...
Crystal
Crystal and Ormolu Lion Head Ring-Handle Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
Crystal and ormolu lion head ring-handle ice bucket. Elegant diapered crystal basin with gilt rim and finely chased lion ring handles perfect for chillin...
Crystal, Ormolu
$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
$1,400
H 3.75 in W 3.5 in D 3.25 in
Vase by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, Scandinavian Midcentury Design, "Kantarelli"
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
Vase by Tapio Wirkkala, one of the most famous designers in Scandinavia. The vase is signed. It is hand blown. This is the small vase of the group "Kantarelli". The vase is produced ...
Blown Glass
Mid-Century Italian Mini Ice Bucket Diamond Cut Crystal Towle William Adams
By Baccarat
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, Italian crystal mini ice bucket crystal with silver plated hardware. Stamped ITALY , TOWLE- William Adams. Dimensions: 9" H x 4.75" diameter. Please visi...
Crystal, Silver Plate
$600
H 3.55 in Dm 3.55 in
1970's Tapio Wirkkala 4 Niva Whiskey glasses + Seita Ice Bucket Iittala Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Set of 4 'new' old stock Whiskey 'Niva' Series glasses in original box by Iittalia Finland and a matching 'Seita' ice bucket The perfect gift set for your husband or to impress you...
Glass, Art Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Leaf Plate 1950s Signed Finland Original
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Espoo, FI
Leaf platter, model 3337, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Iittala. The platter is signed "Tapio Wirkkala Iittala -57". In good used condition.
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Ultima Thule for Iittala, Finland
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Vienna, AT
Consists of: 12 whiskey glasses, 6 shot glasses, carafe. Whiskey glasses with upper diameter 7, height 8.5 cm shot glasses with upper diameter 4.5, height 5.5 cm, carafe height 22 c...
Crystal