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 Los Angeles, 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 'Crane' Articulating Table Lamp in White for Innolux Oy
By Innolux Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Los Angeles, 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 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
Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala Table Lamp Model K11-81b, Idman 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Idman
Located in Helsinki, FI
A very rare and elegant table lamp, model K11-81 B, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Idman. Exceptionally difficult to find, this sculptural lamp would make an important addition to an...
Metal, 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 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
Tapio Wirkkala K11-16 Desk Light, for Idman, Finland, 1954
By Tapio Wirkkala, Idman
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
1950s Mauri Almari Model K11-17 Table Lamp for Idman
By Paavo Tynell, Idman, Almari Mauri
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$2,097
H 27.56 in Dm 9.85 in
Minimalist Tapio Wirkkala Pendant Model 51129 in White Opaline Glass, 1950s
By Idman Oy, Iittala, 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 m...
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
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
$3,746
H 18.12 in W 8.86 in D 12.21 in
Scandinavian/Finnish Modern Paavo Tynell Model 9227 Table Lamp, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman
Located in Kangasala, FI
Rare Scandinavian/Finnish mid-century table lamp model 9227 designed by Paavo Tynell and manufactured by Taito Oy, circa 1950s. Made in Finland. Brass and black lacquered metal. A ...
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 cast...
Iron
Table lamp 'Model 61052' designed by Mauri Almari for Idman
By Mauri Almari, Idman
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp 'Model 61052' designed by Mauri Almari in the 1950s, is a refined example of Finnish mid-century lighting where material and atmosphere are closely intertwined. The struct...
Brass
Minimalistic Model 61071/1 Idman Oy Table Lamp, 1950s
By Idman Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Minimalistic model 61071/1 Idman Oy table lamp from the 1950s. Brass, opaline glass shade with later wooden slat shade. Manufacturer's stamp. Good vintage condition, minor patina and...
Brass
$24,000
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
$2,927
H 17.72 in Dm 13 in
Mid-Century Modern Minimalist Table Lamp by Voitto Haapalainen for Idman Finland
By Voitto Haapalainen, Idman
Located in Hamburg, DE
Minimalist table lamp by the traditional Finnish company Idman, based on a design by Voitto Haapalainen from the 1950s. An original from the Aalto era. A classic of Finnish mid-cent...
Metal
$8,430
H 59.85 in W 12.21 in D 9.06 in
Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp K10-2, Brass & Black, Maria Lindeman, Idman 1950s
By Maria Lindeman, Idman
Located in Helsinki, FI
A striking modernist floor lamp, model K10-2, designed by Maria Lindeman for Idman in Finland. Lindeman was one of Idman’s leading designers, working alongside such prominent figures...
Brass, Metal
$4,500 / item
H 53 in W 7.5 in D 28 in
Tapio Wirkkala 'Crane' Articulating Floor Lamp in White for Innolux Oy
By Tapio Wirkkala, Innolux Oy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tapio Wirkkala 'Crane' Articulating Floor Lamp in White for Innolux Oy. Originally produced as the in the 1950s as the Model #K-10-11 by Idman, this newly authorized re-edition of the iconic lamp is made by Innolux Oy of Finland with the same scrupulous attention to detail, materials and craftsmanship as the original. Executed in polished brass and white or black painted shade. A highly adjustable lamp, the shade rotates up and down while the arm upon which it is mounted can be raised , lowered, rotated, moved forward and backwards as well as up and down the fixed brass pole, changing the height and depth dimensions accordingly. Note: height with shade positioned as pictured is 53 inches, can extend up to 61 inches tall. Width as pictured is 28 inches, can extend to a max of 36 inches wide. Base diameter is 7.5 inches. Shade diameter max 6.75 inches. Shade height is 12 inches. Price is per item. 3 black and 1 white in stock. Available in unlimited quantities.Out of stock lead time 10-12 weeks or more. Please note in-stock availability subject to change. For time-sensitive orders, please contact us prior to purchasing. The internationally recognized artist Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) is one of the leading figures and most respected designers of the Finnish modern art...
Aluminum, 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 Idman, Tapio Wirkkala
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