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 5 Vintage Finnish Glass Plates Solaris by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Finnish Glas Plates Solaris by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Set of 5, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 Official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, d...
Glass
$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
$945
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
$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 Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
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
Ice Glass Bowl "Lunaria" by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1972
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
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 ...
Art Glass
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
$560Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 6.13 in W 2.63 in D 2.63 in
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
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
$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 Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
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...
Art Glass
$200Sale Price|20% Off
H 2 in Dm 5 in
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...
Crystal
$318 / set
H 5.5 in Dm 3 in
Set of 3 1970s Icicle Art Aslak Highball Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 3 Icicle Art Aslak Highball or Beer Glasses designed by Tapio Wirkkala for renowned Finnish glass company Iittala. Gorgeous design conjuring icy beauty. The glasses are in pe...
Glass, Art Glass
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
Set of 12 Mid-Century Noir Dinner Plates by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This set of 12 black porcelain Noir dinner plates was designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, circa 1970. Each round plate features a slim high-gloss lip, a wide rim rendered in Wi...
Porcelain