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.
cutlery set by Tapio Wirkkala for Christofle
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Spécial design for this set design ed by Tapio Wirral's and stamped Christofle on each piece 61 pieces all together
Silver Plate
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Flatware, Extensive 91 Piece Set
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist stainless steel flatware set, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Austria, circa 1963. This is a large set containing 91 pieces total. They are constructed of dishwas...
Stainless Steel
Tray in Laminated Birch by Tapio Wirkkala, 1950's
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Tray in Laminated Birch by Tapio Wirkkala, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Laminated birch Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Soinn...
Birch
Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal Studio-Line ‘Modulation’ sauce cream jug, 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in London, GB
Tapio Wirkkala (Finnish, 1915-1985) ‘Modulation’ sauce jug Designed c. 1960, produced by Rosenthal, Germany, as part of the Studio-Line series Ceramic Excellent condition L 17 cm, D...
Ceramic
Set of 28 Vintage Composition Secunda Grau Coffee Service by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Composition Secunda Grau Coffee Service by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Set of 28, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Ceramic
T. Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Line Porcelain Noire, Six Person Mocha Service
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in København, Copenhagen
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-line porcelain noire, six person mocha service in black and white porcelain, modern design, fluted. Designed in 1962. Consisting of six mocha cups with saucers, sugar bowl, creamer and mocha jug...
Set of Serving Cutlery Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of serving cutlery designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950s. A set of serving spoons and olive forks. Measures: Forks: L 26 cm/ 10 1/8" Spoons...
Wood
Carving Knife by Tapio Wirkkala for Hackman, 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Hackman
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A carving knife in brushed steel having a stained oak handle attached to the blade by wooden pegs. A silver tag on the handle documents the materials came from the Swedish ship...
Steel
$192Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 0.25 in W 15.75 in D 12.75 in
Tapio Wirkkala Freeform Molded Plywood Tray, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in San Diego, CA
Fincraft molded plywood tray designed in the 1950s by Tapio Wirkkala for Soinne et Kni, Helsinki. Embossed stamp on the bottom. Finland
Plywood
Ausrian Flatware, Cutlery Set by Berndorf
By Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian high-quality flatware silver plated by Berndorf, former Krupp company from the 1960s. The cutlery has a handle with a very interesting geometric decor. Used but in excellent...
Silver, Steel
$2,118 / set
H 0.2 in W 7.88 in D 1.97 in
Gio Ponti Silver Cutlery Set for Twelve by Krupp Italy 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Cutlery silver set for twelve in nickel silver or German silver, this set includes a total of 36 pieces; 12 spoons, 12 forks, and 12 knives with a steel blade. Set designed by Gio ...
Nickel, Stainless Steel
$2,235 / set
H 7.88 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Herend Rothschild Oiseaux Mocha & Dessert Set For 6 Persons, Hungary, 20th Cent
By Herend
Located in Vienna, AT
Herend service consisting of 21 parts: 1 lidded mocha pot, 1 milk jug, 1 lidded sugar bowl, 6 cups, 6 saucers, 6 dessert plates. Shape: Osier basket weave Decor: RO - Rothschild Ois...
Porcelain
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
Rococo Coffee Service Rosenthal Sanssouci Six Person Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Uppsala , SE
A large porcelain coffee set from the Rosenthal Sanssouci collection. This specific pattern, with its delicate lattice work and floral designs, was inspired by the ornate stucco ceilings of the Sanssouci Palace and reflects the luxurious tableware commissioned by Frederick the Great. The collection is a fascinating representation of the Rococo period, combining elegance and lightness in design. The set shown includes a coffee/tea pot, a creamer, a lidded sugar bowl, six cups with saucers, and six side plates. The pieces are made of porcelain and feature polychrome floral decorations with gold trim. The design, first created in the 1920s, is an iconic Rosenthal china pattern...
Porcelain
$1,195 / set
H 18 in W 14.75 in D 3.75 in
Mid-Century Modern 91 Piece Rosewood & Bronze Flatware Set by Jean Claude w Case
By Jean Claude Aujame
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and never used rosewood & bronze 91 pcs, service for eight with serving pcs. Great teak storage box with brass & rosewood handle. Truly a qua...
Brass, Bronze
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Porcelain Miniature Jug. "Russian Dream"
Located in København, Copenhagen
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, porcelain miniature jug. "Russian Dream". In perfect condition. 2000s. Marked. Original gift box included. Dimensions...
Porcelain
Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966 A white porcelain dinner service set by Rosenthal, Germany Dated with the Rosenthal mark of 1966 The romantic set called " M...
Porcelain
$9,800
H 14 in Dm 12 in
Very Large Mid-Century Rosenthal Porcelain Dinner /Tea/Coffee Service /12 People
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exceptional mid-20th century porcelain dinner service by Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany, designed for twelve and showcasing the refined aesthetic of post-war European craftsmanshi...
Porcelain
Majestic Line Rosenthal Porcelain Dinnerware Service for 12
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This striking Majestic Line Rosenthal Porcelain Dinner Wear Service for 12 originates from Germany, Circa 1980. Each piece features remarkable gilt textural detailing circumscribing ...
Porcelain
$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 Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
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
Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal Studio-Line ‘Modulation’ coffee pot, 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in London, GB
Tapio Wirkkala (Finnish, 1915-1985) ‘Modulation’ coffee pot Designed c. 1960, produced by Rosenthal, Germany, as part of the Studio-Line series Ceramic Excellent condition L 19 cm, ...
Ceramic
Composition Cutlery Set, Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Germany 1963
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in St Ouen, FR
Complete set of 58 place settings by the famous Finnish designer created for Rosenthal and part, since 1963, of the permanent collections of MOMA. Executed in stainless steel it comb...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 3.94 in Dm 2.56 in
Pair of Candleholders Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus, Finland, 1963
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of candleholders designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus, Finland, 1963. Silver. These examples made in 1999. Dimension: H 10 cm/ 4'' D 6.5 cm/ 2 1/2''.
Silver
Tapio Wirkkala 'Puukko' Knives Produced by Hackma
By Tapio Wirkkala, Hackman
Located in Munich, DE
Stainless steel blade with black nylon handle and brass fittings. Leather sheathes included. Original natural hide Sheathes with bear claw impressions. Blades marked with manufacture...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 7.49 in Dm 4.34 in
T.Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Line Porcelaine Noire, Six Person Mocha Service
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in København, Copenhagen
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-line Porcelaine noire, six person mocha service in violet / purple and white porcelain, modern design, fluted. Designed in 1962. Consisting of six mocha cups with saucers, sugar bowl, creamer and mocha jug...
Sold
H 3.15 in Dm 2.76 in
T.Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Line Porcelaine Noire Five-Person Coffee Service
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in København, Copenhagen
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-line Porcelaine noire, five-person coffee service in black and white porcelain, modern design, fluted. Designed in 1962. Consisting of five...
Sold
H 9.06 in Dm 4.34 in
T. Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Line Porcelaine Noire Six Person Coffee Service
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in København, Copenhagen
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-line Porcelaine noire, six person coffee service in black and white porcelain, modern design, fluted. Designed in 1962. Two sets available. ...
Tapio Wirrkala for Rosenthal Studio Line
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hugh 144 piece set of Tapio Wirrkala for Rosenthal's Studio Line in black and white porcelain. inventory: 12 Bread and Butters, 12 Salad Plates, 12 Dinne...
Tapio Wirkkala Modernist Flatware Cutlery by Rosenthal, Germany, 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful modernist flatware, designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1963, executed by Rosenthal Germany. High-quality flatware, made of stainless steel. For 6 persons, consists of 6 big spoons...
Stainless Steel
Tapio Wirkkala Leaf Platter
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare large handmade carved and laminated birch leaf platter by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Soinne et Kni. Rarely seen form and size.