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.
$2,800 / item
Side Chair by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko
By Tapio Wirkkala, Asko
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A side chair with a warm-toned undulating laminated teak seat on a chromed steel base.
Steel
Side Chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller - Felhbaum, 1971
By Verner Panton, Herman Miller
Located in Barcelona, ES
Side chair designed by Verner Panton in 1967 for Herman Miller - Fehlbaum production, Germany. This one is stamped in 1971 in black glossy thermoplastic.
Plastic
Post Modern Side or Dining Chair by Maurice Villency
By Maurice Villency, Pierre Cardin
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
La Seine Side Chair by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
By BoBo Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom Dining chair in the Style of Jules Leleu by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier . Custom Wood Finishing and Upholstery work included in the price of each chair. Customer provides fabri...
Upholstery, Wood
$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
$3,309 / set
H 28.75 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Eero Aarnio 4 Chairs Model Flamingo for Asko Finland Marked, 1970s
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Paris, IDF
A set of 4 Iconic "Flamingo" chairs by Eero Arnio for Asko Finland White painted wood , some paint chips see photos. Vintage yellow fabric. Bo...
Wood
$5,800 / set
H 29.5 in W 18.25 in D 17 in
Set 6 Danish Dining Chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard for Soborg Mobelfabrik
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of Danish Modern dining chairs designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard, for Soborg Mobelfabrik, distributed by John Stuart....
Rosewood, Teak
Model 2464 "Marketta" Chair by Asko, Finland 1950s
By Asko
Located in Utrecht, NL
Asko's present model “2464” chair charms with its curved shape. Better known as Marketta, this rare piece features a beech frame and a padded, upholstered seat. This chair makes a st...
Fabric, Wood
Rare Eero Aarnio Birch Armchair for Asko, Finland
By Asko, Eero Aarnio
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful Birch Armchair in very good condition. Designed by Eero Aarnio and produced by Asko, Finland. The chair is made of bent plywood which is lamin...
Fabric, Bouclé, Bentwood, Birch
Dining Chairs/Side Chair in Walnut by Tinatin Kilaberidze
By Tinatin Kilaberidze
Located in New York, NY
A pair of elegant dining or side chairs by Tinatin Kilaberidze. Made of her favorite walnut wood and upholstered in leather, their beautiful form and fine craftsmanship make these c...
Leather, Walnut
$921
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 Soborg Mobler, Hvidt & Mølgaard
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
$7,563Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 28.75 in D 29.53 in
'Ingeborg' Easy Chair by Flemming Lassen, Asko, 1950s
By Flemming Lassen, Asko
Located in Karis, Nyland
A neat and functional easy chair by Danish architect Flemming Lassen (1902-1984). The 'Ingeborg' series has been named after Flemming Lassen’s beloved mother, artist Ingeborg Winding...
Fabric, Wood
'Décade' Side or Dining Chair by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the 'Décade' chair by Design Frères, the perfect blend of French 60's style and contemporary comfort. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this chair features a h...
Steel
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 Asko, Tapio Wirkkala
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