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 Silver Punch Set
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A beautiful solid silver Pitcher and cups by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus, Oy. Created by a single craftsperson from start to finish.
Silver
$923
H 11.82 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Antique Silver Pitcher, Crystal CLARET JUG Decorative Crystal Flask Silver Itay
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Italian Crystal & Silver-Plated Claret Jug / Wine Decanter – Vecchia Romagna – 20th Century – Decorative Barware Elevate your interior with this elegant Antique Italian Crystal Claret Jug, beautifully crafted with a richly cut crystal body and ornate silver-plated (nickel silver) mounts. Produced for Vecchia Romagna, this distinguished decanter combines timeless Italian craftsmanship with refined decorative appeal, making it an exceptional addition to any traditional or contemporary home. The decanter features a striking faceted crystal body with intricate diamond-cut decoration, a star-cut base, and an elaborate silver-plated collar with a decorative mask-form pouring spout, domed hinged lid, and elegant scroll handle. Originally designed for serving claret, wine, or spirits, it also serves as a sophisticated decorative centrepiece for a dining room, drinks cabinet, or collector's display. Dating from the 20th century and inspired by late Victorian and Art Nouveau aesthetics, this beautifully preserved piece showcases the quality and elegance associated with classic Italian tableware. Perfect for collectors of antique crystal decanters...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$1,400Sale Price / set|46% Off
H 2.5 in W 3.5 in D 4.5 in
Tapio Wirkkala Pair of 'Leaf' Dishes in Silver for Kultakeskus Oy, 1959 - 1960
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant pair of leaf form dishes, models TW-5 (l.) and TW-4 (r.), designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. Both are in fine condition with all requisite hallmarks and "TW" s...
Silver
Pair of Victorian English Silver Ewers
Located in New York, NY
Marked: London, 1859, Maker: John S. Hunt.
Silver
$1,800Sale Price|55% Off
H 2.63 in Dm 2.63 in
Tapio Wirkkala Kinetic Silver Moon Hopeakuu Pendant, 1974
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hopeakuu (Finnish: silver moon) sterling pendant designed by Tapio Wirkkala, comprising nine concentric rings that move independently around a small orb at ...
Sterling Silver
$1,146 / set
H 1.19 in W 15.36 in D 8.08 in
Pair of Modernist Tapio Wirkkala Serving Trays in Alpaca & Teak, TW 225, 1960s
By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of serving trays, model TW 225, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus in Finland in 1959. Combining sculptural simplicity with exceptional craftsmanship, the tr...
Teak, Alpaca
$136Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.5 in Dm 6.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Glass Pitcher in Style of Tapio Wirkkala, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC Presents: a 1970s Glass Drink Pitcher modern lines. 11.5 h x 6.75 diameter x 6.75d Preowned vintage Refer to images listed
Glass
Mexican Modernist Silver Pitcher by Hector Aguilar
By Hector Aguilar
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early mid-Century Modernist sterling silver water pitcher made by Hector Aguilar circa 1940-1945. Made in Taxco, Mexico and hallmarked Taxco /940 and Stamped for Hector Aguilar. T...
Sterling Silver
Tapio Wirkkala Necklase Hopeakuu "Silver Moon", Finland 1973
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Tapio Wirkkala Sterling Silver Necklase Hopeakuu "Siver Moon", Pendant diameter 6.5cm and chain length 50cm. Manufactured by Nils Westerback Kultakeskus, Finland 1973. Very nice vint...
Silver
$890Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Antique Silver Pitcher, GLASS CLARET JUG Decorative Crystal Flask Silver Itay
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Italian Silver-Plated and Etched Crystal Claret Jug, Bird & Mask Handle, circa 1880 An exceptionally elegant 19th-century Italian silver-plated and crystal claret jug, da...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
Austro-Hungarian Silver Wine Ewer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Austro-Hungarian silver wine ewer.
$934Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Antique Silver Pitcher, Italy Crystal CLARET JUG Decorative Crystal Flask Silver
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Italian Silver & Crystal Claret Jug – Decorative Glass Pitcher with Etched Leaves, Bird & Human Mask Handle, Circa 1880s An exceptional antique Italian silver and glass clar...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
19th Century Heavy Silver Coffee Pot
By Elkington Mason & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine handcrafted coffee pot is in fine condition with detailed hall marks on the bottom and fine lines. The condition is mint. Elkington & Co electroplate with Elkington’s own ...
Silver
Silver Pitcher, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy, 1970s
By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Silver pitcher, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, 1970s. Hand-forged silver. Marked and signed. Good vintage condition, minor patina and wear consistent wit...
Silver
Tapio Wirkkala, Silver Jug TW 177, 1958, Kultakeskus
By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and modern minimalist vintage silver shaker / jug TW 177 with teak stopper by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus. The capacity is 1 litre with the widht at the bottom 8 cm ...
Silver
Carafe and Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully executed carafe and four drinking glasses all having organic free-form bases evocative of winter ice.
Glass
Rare Tapio Wirkkala Coffee Set
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A great Tapio Wirkkala coffee set for Kultakeskus Oy, Finland. These sets were special ordered and are rather rare. Solid copper with silver plated...
Brass, Silver