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.
Wall Panel Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Veneer wood relief. Tapio Wirkkala originally designed these panels as tabletops for the company Asko. He created several different marquetry patterns; some panels had a dark base a...
Wood
$1,385 / item
H 18.51 in W 14.18 in D 1.97 in
Contemporary Design 'Moss Wall Piece, by Andredottir & Bobek
By Andredottir & Bobek
Located in copenhagen, DK
One of a kind, contemporary design, meadow block side tables embody the surface of moss. Made by the art and design duo Andredottir & Bobek They have...
Foam
Silk-Screened Fabric Panel by Gio Pomodoro, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Silkscreened fabric work by Giò Pomodoro, 1950s-60s. Later frame. Patina due to age. Measurements include the frame.
Fabric
$2,303Sale Price|20% Off
H 49.22 in W 65.75 in D 1.97 in
Art Wall Panel Scagliola Relief Decor Handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
By Cupioli made in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
The title of this work is "Evolution" in this panel the artist Lodovico Cupioli represented a river in his particular vision. From the primordial Era after the game of time, the orig...
Scagliola
$2,518Sale Price|25% Off
H 43.31 in W 59.06 in D 1.58 in
Artwork Wall Panel, Scagliola Decoration Handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
By Cupioli made in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
Artwork wall Panel scagliola decoration Handmade in Italy by Cupioli available. Prometheus a Greek mythological figure is represented in this panel. To this hero, a friend of manki...
Scagliola, Wood
Carved wall panel by Studio Ponzio, Italy 1930’s
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
A rare carved wall panel attributed to Studio Ponzio, created in 1930s Italy for Gruppo 4, a collective associated with the applied arts and architectural decoration of the interwar ...
Wood
$1,391Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.65 in W 23.23 in D 1.97 in
Panel Wall Bassorilevo Silver Leaf Handmade in Italy by Cupioli
By Cupioli made in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
Silver-colored metal leaf bas-relief wall panel handmade in Italy by Cupioli. Subject: "Capricci Musicanti" This exquisite bas-relief panel is part of our exclusive collection ...
Aluminum
$1,500
H 14.5 in W 9.25 in D 1.75 in
Ceramic Panel Wall Plaque by Jean Lurçat, Sant Vicens, France, 1952-65
By Jean Lurçat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An unique and vibrant vintage Jean Lurcat hand painted, glazed fired ceramic and enamel wall plaque. A limited edition hand inscribed Saint Vicens, ...
Enamel
$1,189Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.38 in W 44.49 in D 33.86 in
Painting Art Wall Panel Scagliola Relief Handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
By Cupioli made in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
Title : Spring Impression The subject depicted in this painting is an oriental garden where there is a distribution of colors typical of the Japanese order. This wall panel is manufa...
Wood, Scagliola
$2,782Sale Price|20% Off
H 67.33 in W 27.17 in D 0.79 in
Art Wall Panel handcrafted in Italy by Cupioli Available
By Cupioli made in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
Modern Blue wall decorative panel handcrafted in Italy by Cupioli Available. Artistic wall panel, a tribute to the artist Alfred Roller. This art...
Scagliola
$5,457 / item
H 35.44 in W 17.72 in D 0.4 in
Color Shift Reflective glass wall Panel Small, Trichroic Emerald, by Rive Roshan
By Rive Roshan
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The reflective, coloured, rippled glass panel – designed to add a palette of colour to spaces – reflects light in spaces and adds movement and color whilst creating abstracted reflec...
Glass
$1,349 / item
H 17.72 in W 14.57 in D 1.97 in
Contemporary Design 'Sun Rise Wall Piece, by Andredottir & Bobek
By Andredottir & Bobek
Located in copenhagen, DK
One-off a kind - contemporary design, sun rise wall piece, embody the surface of the sun. Made by the art and design duo Andredottir & Bobek They have in ...
Foam
Spiritus Wall Panel Sculpture
By Katz Studio
Located in San Jose del Cabo, BCS
Spiritus from the Inferno collection is a transcendent work, a soaring composition that captures the essence of uplift and ascension. This wall sculpture, a part of the studio's purs...
Resin
Sold
H 12.25 in W 12.25 in D 0.5 in
Tapio Wirkkala Gold Porcelain Wall Hanging Plate Sculpture for Rosenthal 1971
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Troy, MI
Jahresteller series wall hanging sculpture designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal 1971 Limited to an edition of 3000 Convex bubble design in Gold finished porcelain with a three d...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 1.11 in Dm 12.41 in
Rosenthal Studio Line "Jahresteller" 1971 - Ceramic Wall Plate by Tapio Wirkkala
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Utrecht, NL
Rosenthal ceramic 'Jahresteller' (year plate) 1971, design by Tapio Wirkkala. Number 2462 of a uniquely numbered edition of 3000 handmade unique pieces. Comes with original certific...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.11 in Dm 12.33 in
Tapio Wirkkala Moon Surface Dish or Wall Plaque, Limited for Rosenthal, 1971
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Round porcelain dish or wall plaque with bubbles in reverso. Gilt-glazed top surface. It was designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Rosenthal Studio Line in 1971 in a limited...
Porcelain
Painting by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painting by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950. Mixed-media. This is Wirkkala's original sketch for the famous Arabia poster of 1950.
Paper
Tapio Wirkkala Jahresteller Plate for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
Round porcelain plate or plaque with indented "bubbles" and a gilt-glazed top surface. Designed by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Rosenthal Studio Line in 1971 in a limited edition o...
Porcelain