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 for Idman Rare Desk Lamp in Brass and Glass
By David Weidman, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tapio Wirkkala for Idman Oy, desk lamp, brass, glass, Finland, circa 1960 Among the nearly 100 lighting designs Tapio Wirkkala created for serial production, the majority were devel...
Brass
Tapio Wirkkala 'Crane' Articulating Table Lamp in Black for Innolux Oy
By Tapio Wirkkala, Innolux Oy
Located in Glendale, CA
Tapio Wirkkala 'Crane' Articulating Table Lamp in Black for Innolux Oy. Originally produced as a floor lamp in the 1950s as the Model #K-10-11 by Idman, this newly authorized re-edit...
Aluminum, Brass
Tapio Wirkkala Model K10-11 Floor / Table Lamp, Made by Idman, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Tapio Wirkkala, Idman
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Tapio Wirkkala Model K10-11 Floor / Table Lamp, made by Idman, Finland in the 1950s. Brass and painted metal. Height if the lamp is adjustable - can be used as a floor or a table lam...
Metal, Brass
Tapio Wirkkala 'Crane' Articulating Table Lamp in White for Innolux Oy
By Tapio Wirkkala, Innolux Oy
Located in Glendale, CA
Tapio Wirkkala 'Crane' Articulating Table Lamp in White for Innolux Oy. Originally produced as a floor lamp in the 1950s as the Model #K-10-11 by Idman, this newly authorized re-edit...
Aluminum, Brass
Tapio Wirkkala Table Lamp Model K11-81 in Black & Brass, Idman 1950s
By Idman, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
This bijou and elegant table lamp model K11-81 designed by Tapio Wirkkala, is hard to come by, which makes this piece a great addition to any collection. It objectifies Wirkkala's s...
Metal, Brass
Tapio Wirkkala K11-16 Desk Light, for Idman, Finland, 1954
By Idman, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Tapio Wirkkala K11-16 desk or table light, fully adjustable, designed 1954 and made by Idman, Finland Brass, leather and enamelled steel. The lamp is stamped Idman to the upper lev...
Brass, Steel
Tapio Wirkkala Table Lamp Model KD-11 by Idman in Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare table lamp / wall lamp model KD-11 Tapio Wirkkala. Produced by Idman in Finland.
Brass
Table Lamp Model #5066 by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy
By Paavo Tynell
Located in San Francisco, CA
Table lamp by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy A rare table lamp made in the 1940s for "Taito," Finland. The lamp has a brass base, wood stem, and a pleated silk shade...
Brass
1950s Mauri Almari Model K11-17 Table Lamp for Idman
By Paavo Tynell, Almari Mauri, Idman
Located in Glendale, CA
1950s Mauri Almari model K11-17 table lamp for Idman. A rare model executed in red enameled metal and brass. The shades can be raised and lowered. Reminiscent...
Brass, Metal
$2,124
H 27.56 in Dm 9.85 in
Minimalist Tapio Wirkkala Ceiling Lamp Model 51129 in White Opaline Glass, 1950s
By Iittala, Idman Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
An elegant ceiling lamp model. 51129 in white opaline glass, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured in a joint effort by Idman & Iittala in Finland in the 1950s. This very minim...
Brass
Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9209' Table Lamp in Brass and Cane
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, 'Kypärä' desk lamp, model '9209', brass, cane, Finland, 1950s A truly magnificent piece that scores highly on every design aspect: execution, material us...
Brass
Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy ‘5061’ Table Lamp in Brass
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, table lamp, model ‘5061’, brass, Finland, 1950s A truly magnificent piece that scores highly on every design aspect: execution, use of materials, craftsma...
Brass
$27,060
H 59.06 in Dm 11.82 in
Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model K10-10 in Red, Brass and Rattan, Idman 1950s
By Idman Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic floor lamp model designed by Paavo Tynell himself for Idman in the 1950s. The lamp has been repainted in red, as we have noticed the increased demand for this color, as an ...
Metal, Brass
$2,400Sale Price|25% Off
Paavo Tynell Table Lamp For Taito Oy 1935
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A super early Paavo Tynell table lamp for Taito Oy from 1935. This is marked as Model 5053 in the 1935 Taito Catalogue. A similar example has a glass shade. This example with a c...
Iron
$49,000 / set
H 19.69 in W 7.88 in D 9.85 in
Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9225' Table Lamps in Brass and Leather
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, table lamps, model ‘9225’, brass, leather, Finland, 1950s This '9225' desk lamp, designed by the master of lighting Paavo Tynell in the fifties, stands as...
Brass
$35,000
H 21.66 in W 9.85 in D 8.67 in
Paavo Tynell for Idman '9224' Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman
Located in Prague, New Town
'Horseshoe' table lamp, model '9224', designed by Paavo Tynell. Produced by Idman Oy in Finland, 1953. Polished brass, adjustable brass shade with perforated edge, leather-wrapped st...
Brass
Original C. Jere Vintage Articulating Crane Table Lamp
By Curtis Jeré
Located in North Miami, FL
1970s art and design at its best, the crane lamp by Curtis Jere. Fully adjustable sculptural lamp. Features multi-directional pivoting light fixture comple...
Chrome, Metal, Wire
$24,000
H 58.27 in W 10.04 in D 14.57 in
Paavo Tynell Model "K10-10" Floor Lamp for Idman, Finland 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman
Located in Utrecht, NL
Paavo Tynell, the “man who illuminated Finland”, was known for designs that carried functional elements that show his consideration for the user as well as the lamp’s utilitarian rol...
Metal, Brass
Rare Desk / Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Desk / Table Lamp in Brass and Leather, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass, leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by AB E. Hansson & Co in Malmö, Sweden...
Brass
Tapio Wirkkala Table Lamps, Finland, 1960s
By Idman Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two beautiful table lamps. Design by Tapio Wirkkala for Idman, Finland, 1960s. Petrol blue metal cylinder base comes with polished steel feet. Completely original.
Metal
Studio Line Table Lamp by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1960s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in bruxelles, BE
Tulip base lamp of white color, abajour of yellow-orange color. Wear and tear due to time and the age of the lamp (see photo).
Metal
Glass Table Lamp by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glass table lamp by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala in Finland, circa 1950s. Original silk shade, brass hardware. Engraved and numbered 2207 by Tapio Wirkkala. Original cord. Takes one E2...
Silk, Glass
Table Lamp by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Idman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bras and metal table lamp.
Metal, Brass
Tapio Wirkkala Table Lamp
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A great example of Tapio Wirkkala's iconic table lamp for Idman. Adjustable at the shade as well as the central column. The lamp can be twisted on the column and raised or lowere...
Steel, Brass