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.
$1,253Sale Price / set|20% Off
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Porcelain Tea Sets
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal Netter
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
$4,500 / set
Tapio Wirkkala Copper and Silver Coffee Set
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A solid copper coffee set including coffee pot, creamer, sugar pot, and very hard to find solid copper serving tray. Lined in silver, these sets wer...
Copper
$140Sale Price|20% Off
"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
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
$1,574
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
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish Silver Leaf Shape Handled Bon Bon Dish
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning mid-century Finnish silver leaf shaped handled bon bon dish designed by Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) dated 1965. The dish is of a simple leaf shaped design formed like a hea...
Silver
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
Vintage Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee or Tea Set, 1960s
By Rosenthal
Located in Bastogne, BE
Björn Wiinblad for Rosenthal - Studio Linie, Germany coffee or tea set. Large vintage German service of the famous Rosenthal Linie factory from Germany...
Porcelain
Nouveau / Arts and Crafts Copper Coffee Set
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
fleurdetroit presents for your consideration a wondeeful tea service from the Arts and Crafts period. Dazzle guests with a one of a kind find like this early 20th century coffee/tea ...
Copper
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
Haviland Limoges Gilt Porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 12
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century Haviland, Limoges France gilt porcelain tea / coffee service for twelve people. Each piece is great condition. Marks (Tower) Haviland Limoges, France undersigned. Alltogether 27 pieces. Set include 12 tea / coffee cups 4" x 2.3". 12 tea / coffee saucers...
Gold
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
Undressed Woman Tea Set
Located in Greenwich, CT
The undressed tea set was designed and handcrafted in the Netherlands by Esther Hörchner. Each cup features a line illustration of a nude woman in different positions as if bathing i...
Porcelain
Art Deco Silver plated Coffee Set
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this Silver plated Art Deco Coffee Set. 1. Height: 23.5 cm. Width: 14.5 cm. Depth: 8 cm. 2. Height: 17.5 cm. Width: 20 cm. Depth: 10 cm. 3. Height: 13 cm. Width:...
Bakelite
Porcelain Tea Pot with Undressed Woman
Located in Greenwich, CT
A porcelain tea pot featuring line drawings of an undressed woman. Upon opening the lid she is discovered to be bathing in the pot. Designed by Esthe...
Porcelain
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
1960s Tapio Wirkkala Copper and Silver Coffee Set for Kultakeskus Oy
By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Tapio Wirkkala copper and silver coffee set for Kultakeskus Oy. A solid copper coffee set including coffee pot, creamer, and sugar pot. Exe...
Silver, Copper
Sterling Silver Coffee Set by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy
By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Magnificent three-piece coffee set with very rare serving tray by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) for Kultakeskus Oy, Hämeenlinna, Finland. Sterling silver with ebonized ...
Sterling Silver