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 Asko 'Nikke' Dining Chairs in Black Lacquered Plywood
By Asko, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tapio Wirkkala for Asko Oy, dining chairs, model '9019' steel, lacquered plywood, Finland, 1958 The Nikke chair, model ‘9019’ by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko ...
Steel
Tapio Wirkkala for Asko 'Nikke' Dining Chairs in Black Lacquered Plywood
By Tapio Wirkkala, Asko
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tapio Wirkkala for Asko Oy, dining chairs, model '9019' steel, lacquered plywood, Finland, 1958 The Nikke chair, model ‘9019’ by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko ...
Steel
$2,800 / item
Side Chair by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko
By Asko, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A side chair with a warm-toned undulating laminated teak seat on a chromed steel base.
Steel
$9,057 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Black Lacquered Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 4
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973. Made of black leather and black lacquered beech wood. Fully restored in Italy. Interesting is...
Leather, Beech
$18,198 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Black Lacquered Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 8
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of eight “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973. Made of black leather and black lacquered beech wood. Fully restored in Italy. Interesting i...
Leather, Beech
$2,145 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.49 in D 18.9 in
Vintage Danish Teak Dining Chairs by Kjærnulf for Vejle Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Vejle Stole & Møbelfabrik, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage danish teak dining chairs by Kjærnulf for Vejle Møbelfabrik 1960s Set of four dining chairs in teak designed by Danish architect Henning/Hen...
Teak
On Hold|$4,588 / set
H 33.08 in W 16.93 in D 18.51 in
6 Odessa Dining Chairs, green Birchwood, Danish Cord, by Asko Denmark 1970s
By Asko
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Unique set of 6 vintage dining chairs by Asko, Finland, 1970s designer: ilse töyrylä model: Odessa A rare mid-century modern set from the renowned finnish manufacturer Asko. The ch...
Rope, Birch
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 17 in D 18 in
Set of 6 Bent Plywood Dining Chairs by Cherner for Plycraft
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of six bent plywood chairs designed by Cherner for Plycraft. This set consists of four side chairs and two armchairs. The chairs are in excellent original condition, showing...
Upholstery, Plywood
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 20 in D 18 in
6 Midcentury Scandinavian Modern Red Brown Leather Dining Chairs Asko Finland
By Asko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
(6) Mid Century Scandinavian Modern Red Brown Leather Dining Chairs Asko Finland. Great Rare set of Finnish Dining Chairs Scandinavian Modern Design with Turned birch rod frame paint...
Leather, Birch
Set of Side Chairs by Isamu Kenmochi for Kotobuki
By Isamu Kenmochi, Kotobuki
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Invented in the United States in 1958, FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) is a new material that was widely introduced in public spaces such as Olympic stadiums, stadiums, and station wa...
Acrylic
$2,750 / set
H 33.5 in W 18 in D 19.5 in
Set of Six Herman Seeck for Asko "Model 495" Stacking Chairs with Green Skai Sea
By Sven Markelius, Asko
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A perfect example of Post-War Scandinavian design, this set of “Model 495” dining chairs was designed by Herman Seeck for the Asko company in Finland during the 1950s. With their min...
Faux Leather, Wood
Post Modern Side or Dining Chair by Maurice Villency
By Pierre Cardin, Maurice Villency
Located in New York, NY
Chic high style post modern side, or dining chair, often attributed to Pierre Cardin, we believe it is actually Maurice Villency. This example is in very good, original estate condit...
Leather, Wood
$929
H 29.93 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Scandinavian Teak and Cane Dining Chair by Peter Hvidt for Soborg, Denmark
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Soborg Mobler
Located in Vienna, AT
This iconic scandinavian Modern dining chair Mod 316 was designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard Nielsen for Søborg Mobler Denmark circa 1956. It features a organic sculptural soli...
Cane, Teak
$3,950 / set
H 35.04 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Black "Mademoiselle" Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland, 1960
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Almelo, NL
Black "Mademoiselle" Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland, 1960 These lounge chairs were designed by the renowned Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for the esteemed furnit...
Beech
$1,668 / set
H 28.75 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Eero Aarnio Dining chairs 'Flamingo' for Asko a pair Finland 1970s
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Paris, IDF
Eero Aarnio (Finland, Born 1932) Eero Aarnio, a pair of 1970s 'Flamingo' chairs for Asko Finland. White lacquered frames and red textile upholstery. Marked with manufacturer's label....
Wood
Sold
H 32.09 in W 17.33 in D 18.9 in
Set of Four Stackable Model Nikke Chairs by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko, 1950s
By Asko, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of four stackable model Nikke chairs by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko from the 1950s. Teak with metal frame. Good vintage condition, minor wear consistent w...
Metal
Teak 'Nikke' Dining Chair by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Asko
Located in Karis, Nyland
'Nikke' chairs were designed in 1958 by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko Finland. Teak veneer seat, chrome base. Stamped and labelled.
Chrome
Sold
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Matching Set of Four Rare Nikke Chairs, Designed in 1958 by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Asko
Located in Dronten, NL
Made by Asko of Finland from 1958 into the 1960s. They carry their original Asko labels and impressed "Tapio Wirkkala ASKO Made in Finland" marks on un...
Chrome, Steel