Skip to main content

Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Finnish, 1915-1985

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.

to
1
2
1
4
4
4
3
1
1
1
4
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
213
1,028
215
202
174
Creator: Tapio Wirkkala
Tapio Wirkkala Stainless Steel Puukko Knife with Leather Sheath Hackman Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala, Hackman
Located in London, GB
Tapio Wirkkala Puukko Knife by Hackman Finnish Design This vintage Puukko knife, designed by renowned Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala and produc...
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Stainless Steel, Brass

Vintage Finnish Tapio Wirkkala for Hackman Puukko Knife & Sheath
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine puukko knife & sheath from the 1960's. Designed by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Hackman. The puukko comprising a stainless steel blade, brass fittings, and a black nylon ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Tapio Wirkkala / PENDANT "SILVER MOON" / Westerback / 1971
By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
Tapio Wirkkala is one of the pioneers of modern design in Finnish precious metals as well as glass design. Together with Bertel gardberg, he laid the foundations of modern design in...
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Related Items
Silvered Sea Shell Cymbiola
By Creel and Gow
Located in New York, NY
Cymbiola silvered shell 8". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop has been operate...
Category

2010s Italian Victorian Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silvered Sea Shell Cymbiola
Silvered Sea Shell Cymbiola
$675 / item
H 3 in W 6 in D 8 in
Silvered Sea Shell Chamelea
By Creel and Gow
Located in New York, NY
Chamelea silvered shell 4". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop has been operate...
Category

2010s Italian Victorian Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silvered Sea Shell Chamelea
Silvered Sea Shell Chamelea
$150 / item
H 1.5 in W 4.5 in D 4 in
Silver Scandinavian Modern Bracelet by Björn Weckström, Lapponia, 1971
By Bjorn Weckstrom, Lapponia
Located in New York, NY
A Scandinavian Modern Finish silver bracelet in silver by Bjorn Weckstrom for Lapponia, 1971. Weckstrom's work is famous for his unique patination treatments and surface textures. Me...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver

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...
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver

Antler Handle Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath Antique German Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A antique Knife from Solingen, Germany. Deer antler or stag handle with original sheath 3.13" blade, 6.75" Overall. Used in good condition with some sharpe...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Metal

Art Nouveau Glass Paperweight with Floral Silver Overlay, c. 1910s
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant paperweight from the early 20th century is expertly crafted of cut glass and floral silver overlay in the manner of Art Nouveau. The translucent glass cube is shaped wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver

Ronson USA 1934 Art Deco Black Lacquered Rondette Desk Lighter in Stainless Stee
By Ronson Art Metal Works
Located in Miami, FL
A stainless steel lighter designed by Ronson. Very beautiful desk Rondette lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1934. This is a very unusual lighter designed with wonderful geometric patterns and crafted in solid steel with a central round body set upon two smaller cylindrical feet. Embellished with black lacquer, creating a great contrast with the base polished steel. Extremely well made and solid construction with very nice care and attention to all details. This surely is a very decorative piece and a great conversation item in gorgeous and exceptional preserved condition. Weight: 104.9 Grams, (67.24 Dwt). Measurements: 66 mm by 21 mm by 82 mm (2.59 x 0.83 x 3.23 Inches). Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "RONSON US PAT.RE.NO.19023 RONSON RONDETTE ART METAL WKS INC NEWARK NJ US PAT.RE.NO.19023". The Ronson lighter company started as The Art Metal Works in 1897 and was incorporated on July 20, 1898, by Max Hecht, Louis Vincent Aronson and Leopold Herzig, in Newark, New Jersey. Louis V. Aronson was a huge creative driving force for the company; and, with a few business adjustments, including the addition of Alexander...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Complete Collection Gilt Leather Bound Book Set
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Gilt leather bound sturdy / library room complete collection set. The set include twenty 28 volumes. Funk & Wagnalls, New Encyclopedia. Each book is in gr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Leather, Paper

Complete Collection Gilt Leather Bound Book Set
Complete Collection Gilt Leather Bound Book Set
$2,745 / set
H 9.3 in W 6.5 in D 1.6 in
Tapio Wirkkala's Snail bowl in silver
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A great little solid silver handworked "snail" bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy.
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver

Silver Magnifying Glass with a Feather Handle Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very nice silver magnifying glass with a feather handle, which could be used for opening letters as well. The magnification is good and works well. A compliment to any desk or work...
Category

20th Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver

Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Porcelain Noir, 1960
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful cylindrical black matte porcelain vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal/Siemens, with sublime relief of beaded pearls running down vertical lines, gives an impressi...
Category

1960s German Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Large Shop Counter Display 20th Century
By Victorinox
Located in London, GB
A large 72cm high Victorinox Swiss army knife, shop counter display, Mid 20th century in date. The knife with opening and retracting blades, over a tapered square base with inscript...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items
Tapio Wirkkala Hopeakuu Sterling Silver Modernist Moon Pendant
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist Hopeakuu (Silver Moon) Sterling Silver Pendant, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for N. Westerback Jewelers, Finland, circa 1970s. Measurements: 3.5" H x 2.5" W x .125" D. It has...
Category

1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Hackman Finland Tapio Wirkkala Stainless Steel Puukko Knife in Leather Sheath
By Tapio Wirkkala, Hackman
Located in London, GB
Puukko is a traditional smaller blade utility knife generally attached to a belt or button. Used for carving or fish cleaning /scaling. Puukko goes back ...
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Tapio Wirkkala, ´Puukko´ Knife and Sheath, Designed 1961, Hackman
By Tapio Wirkkala, Hackman
Located in Stockholm, SE
Knife with sheath model Puukko, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Hackman & Co, Helsinki 1961. Steel blade, brass fittings, and leather sheath.
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Tapio Wirkkala, ´Puukko´ Knife and Sheath, Designed 1961, Hackman
By Tapio Wirkkala, Hackman
Located in Stockholm, SE
Knife with sheath model Puukko, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Hackman & Co, Helsinki 1961. Steel blade, brass fittings, and leather sheath.
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Early Tapio Wirkkala "Puillikuu" Sterling Silver Earings, 1972
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Buffalo, NY
Tapio Wirkkala "Puilikuu" earings Finland, circa 1972 (early example and not a reproduction) Sterling silver, metal Produced by N Westerback, Finland Impressed with "NW", s...
Category

1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tapio Wirkkala, ´Puukko´ Knife and Sheath, Designed 1961, Hackman
By Tapio Wirkkala, Hackman
Located in Stockholm, SE
Knife with sheath model Puukko, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Hackman & Co, Helsinki 1961. Steel blade, nylon handle, brass fittings, and leather sheath.    
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass, Steel

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...
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Sculptural Sterling Silver Pendant by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural sterling silver pendant necklace, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Nils Westerback Oy, Finland, circa 1971. Signed with impressed m...
Category

1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Necklace Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Nils Westerberg, Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Necklace in sterling silver, Silver Moon. Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Nils Westerberg, Finland. 1970´s. Rare large version.
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Large Tapio Wirkkala Hopeakuu Pendant and Chain
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A beautiful icon of Scandinavian design. Part kinetic sculpture, part wearable art, this pendant by Tapio Wirkkala is a spectacular piece of design history. Original chain included.
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver

Tapio Wirkkala Omena Silver Pendant Necklace
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A rare silver "Omena" or Apple pendant by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. A lovely kinetic form with original Silver chain intact. Stamped with touch marks to verso.
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tapio Wirkkala Pendant Silver Moon Largest Size Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Necklace designed by Tapio Wirkkala in Sterling silver from 1972. Worldwide shipping included in the price!
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tapio Wirkkala More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tapio Wirkkala more furniture and collectibles for sale on 1stDibs.

Tapio Wirkkala more furniture and collectibles are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tapio Wirkkala more furniture and collectibles, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original more furniture and collectibles by Tapio Wirkkala were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider more furniture and collectibles by Bjorn Weckstrom, Alvar Aalto, and Artek. Prices for Tapio Wirkkala more furniture and collectibles can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $792 and can go as high as $4,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,500.

Recently Viewed

View All