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 Coffee Tea Service for Hopeakeskus
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Amarillo, TX
Tapio Wirkkala. Coffee service TW 182-184, Finland, 1958, Hopeakeskus, copper, teak and inside silver plate. Measures: 5 D x 20.5 H in. 12.7 D x 52.07 H cm. Coffee pot, ...
Copper, Silver Plate
$1,561
H 0.7 in W 2.6 in D 4.5 in
1970s Russian Silver Gilt and Polychrome Cloisonné Enamel Tea Strainer
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Russian silver gilt and polychrome cloisonné enamel tea strainer; an addition to our silver tea ware collection. This exceptional vintage Russian silver gilt and polychrome cloisonné enamel tea strainer has a circular rounded form. The bowl of the tea strainer is embellished with a pierced concentric circular design, encircled with Dual bands of white enamel bead motifs to the rim. The tapering handle is embellished with an impressive cloisonné enamel floral and foliate design in tones of blue and green, accented with further bands of white enamel circular motifs encompassing the concave thumb piece. The enamel segments are encompassed with applied silver paralleling rope twist ornamentation. This fine Russian silver enamel tea strainer retains the original gilding. The hallmarks to the reverse surface of the bowl include: Maker's mark: ??? (Untraced) Soviet silver...
Silver, Enamel
Nanna Ditzel Ceramic Tea Service for Søholm, 1970s
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare tea service consisting of a teapot, cookie bowl and 4 cups. The shape starts of as a square at the bottom and transform fluently into a circle at the top. All pieces features ...
Ceramic
Limoges Tea Set, Service for 6, Plus 1
Located in Vista, CA
Limoges tea set, service for 6, plus 1. Gold Farmhouse collection, France, perfect condition, 7 cups and saucers, coffee/tea pot, creamer and sugar.
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Faux Bois Tea Set, Vallauris France
Located in London, GB
Complete set of Grandjean-Jourdan’s faux bois tableware. This father and son team of post-WWII regional artists created their hand-painted pottery in the famed town of Vallauris, th...
Ceramic
Antique Sheffield Silverplate Tea Set, Victorian Style, 1920s-1930s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Elegant classic antique sheffield silverplate tea set- 3 pieces. These are silver plated with black Bakelite handles and lid knobs. They are from c...
Silver Plate, Pewter
French porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 10 People
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice coffee or tea service from the first half of the 20th century for 10 people. Beautiful porcelain quality, white with fine gold edging and gold patterns on each piece. High Porce...
Porcelain
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Coffee / Tea Set
By Dorlyn Silversmiths, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful vintage Tommi Parzinger coffee / tea set in its original brass finish circa 1950s. The set includes a large coffee pot with curved wood handle, stand with etched "X" details, burner with original wick to keep the pot warm...
Brass
$140Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.5 in W 8 in D 4.25 in
"Studio Line" White Porcelain Tea Pot by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern "Studio Line" white porcelain tea pot by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condi...
Porcelain
Antique Rogers Aesthetic Period Six Piece Silverplate Tea and Coffee Service
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine antique service in very good condition. With fine chased decoration in the Japanese manner with decorative floral sections alternating with angular decorated bands. All pieces footed. Including: a teapot with hinged lid, a coffee pot, a large hot water pot on stand with a burner below (H. 16", W. 11", the bone finish resin knob...
Vermeil, Silver Plate
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Porcelain Tea Sets
By Rosenthal Netter, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Milano, IT
Rosenthal tea sets made of porcelain designed by Tapio Wirkkala represent the best combination of modern and traditional design. Created in 1969, Ros...
Ceramic
$2,499
H 7.09 in W 16.15 in D 9.06 in
Art Deco Five-Piece Tea and Coffee Set with Wood Handles and Tray
By Argentor of Vienna
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A silvered Art Deco five-piece tea and coffee set from the 20th century. The set comprises a teapot, a coffee pot, a creamer and a covered sugar bowl, all with flattened round bodies...
Metal
$2,975 / set
H 12 in W 9 in D 5.5 in
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Tea Service in Polished Brass & Walnut
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous coffee or tea service set was designed by Tommi Parzinger, among the most celebrated Mid-Century Modernist designers, for Dorlyn Silversmiths circa 1960. The set includes one tea pot, a creamer, and a sugar bowl with lid. The service was created in lustrous brass of a particularly warm hue and features burnished walnut...
Brass
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 11.25 in W 7 in D 4.75 in
Vintage Paper Bag Vases by Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal, Finland, circa 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Two vintage paper bag vases by Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal, circa 1970s. Large and small glazed porcelain vases by noted Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkal...
Porcelain
Sold
H 6 in W 15 in D 4 in
Three White Porcelain Birds by Tapio Wirkkala, for Rosenthal Studio-Linie, 1970s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative set of three swimming common lone birds from the 1970s. Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-line, Germany. Beautiful pieces, made of white, matte porcelain. ...
Porcelain
Tapio Wirkkala Handmade Bowl "Keskiyön Taikaa"
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Amarillo, TX
Tapio Wirkkala´s "Keskiyön Taikaa". (English trans. Midnight Magic). Oy Tillander Ab, Helsinki, Finland, circa 1952. Limited edition, designed and manufactured for the Olympi...
Metal