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.
$14,235Sale Price|20% Off
Tapio Wirkkala 18ct Gold Kinetic Brooch 'Aurinko', Modernist Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare kinetic 18 ct gold brooch. "Aurinko" (Sun) in the form of a stylized sun with moving rays This exquisite custom-made brooch was created exclu...
Diamond, 18k Gold
18ct Yellow Gold Diamond Safety Pin Brooch
Located in Sydney, NSW
18ct Yellow Gold Diamond Safety Pin Brooch This chic 18ct yellow gold brooch is expertly crafted in the shape of a safety pin, offering a mo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lava stone cameo brooch set in 18ct gold
Located in Milano, MI
Lava stone cameo of beautiful craftmanship set in 18ct gold. Probably from the end of the 19th Century. Measurements: 2.3 cm in diameter. Weight: 6g...
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 18ct Gold Dog Brooch 1970’s
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Gold & Enamel Dog Brooch 18ct Gold tagged & tested Circa 1970’s Cute, vintage dog with a rub over set, diamond encrusted tail & gorgeous, natural ruby eye. He ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold Italy Stamped, 1960s Ruby Mouse Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Mouse Brooch 18ct Gold Italy Stamped Circa 1960s Introducing a beautifully detailed vintage mouse brooch crafted from 18ct gold, show...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold, 1970s Ruby Eyed Dog Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Gold Dog Brooch 18ct Yellow Gold Circa 1970s Introducing our exquisite 18ct Yellow Gold Dog Brooch from the 1970s, a stunning piece that captures the essence of craftsmans...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold Stamped, 1980s Diamond Cat Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Cat Brooch 18ct Gold Stamped Elevate your accessory collection with this exquisite 1980s cat brooch, meticulously crafted from 18ct yellow gold. This beautifully detailed ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
18ct Yellow Gold Vintage Ruby & Diamond Clover Brooch
Located in Sydney, NSW
18ct Yellow Gold Vintage Ruby & Diamond Clover Brooch This exquisite 18ct yellow gold brooch, originating from Switzerland, is elegantly designed in the shape of a four-leaf clover,...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold Stamped, 1980s Italian Enamel Ladybug Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Ladybug Brooch 18ct Gold Stamped Italy Circa 1980s A charming ladybird brooch crafted in 18ct yellow gold, stamped Italy 18ct, dating to circa 1980. The domed shell is ado...
Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Hermès 18ct Gold Twin Gazelle Brooch with Sapphire Eyes
By Hermès
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hermès brooch from the 1960s modelled as two leaping gazelles, finely textured in 18ct yellow gold. Each figure displays intricate fur detailing and is set with cabochon-cu...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 18ct Gold & Platinum Pink Pearl & Diamond Brooch - c.1920
Located in London, GB
We are delighted to offer this exquisite 18ct gold & platinum brooch made c.1920 The brooch features a wonderful two-tone mount with the rear portion being gold and the front panel...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Antique 1920’s 18ct Gold Blue Enamel & Diamond Tortoise Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Tortoise Brooch 18ct Gold Tested Circa 1920’s Fabulous, antique tortoise brooch. Set with beautiful, blue enamel & gorgeous old cut diamo...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
$12,000Sale Price / item|40% Off
33ct Aquamarine Croc Dragon Brooch/pendant in 18ct white gold
Located in Brisbane, AU
A seductive 30ct aquamarine, strangled by the powerful 18ct white gold croc tail. The gently overlapping scales create a structure that echoes the Australian saltwater crocs' armour....
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
Modernist Largest Version Sterling Silver Moon Pendant, Tapio Wirkkala, c. 1971
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Aspen, CO
Tapio Wirkkala has designed an unusual Modernist pendant called the Hopeakuu or Silver Moon. It was manufactured by Nils Westerback, Helsinki, Finland. This is the largest version ma...
Sterling Silver
Modernist Largest Version Sterling Silver Moon Pendant, Tapio Wirkkala, c. 1971
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Aspen, CO
Tapio Wirkkala has designed an unusual Modernist pendant called the Hopeakuu or Silver Moon. It was manufactured by Nils Westerback, Helsinki, Finland. This is the largest version ma...
Sterling Silver
Tapio Wirkkala Hammered Yellow Gold "Omena" or Apple Earrings
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
A rare pair of hammered 18-karat gold earrings by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland (1915-1985) Stamped 750, maker's mark. Swedish import marks. These delicate earrings have the look of airy gold cutouts ad are light and comfortable to wear. The earrings were displayed in the Nordic jewelry...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Silver “Omena” Necklace by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy, Finland, 1975
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Enchanting silver pendant by Tapio Wirkkala, named “Omena” (“Apple”). Hand hammered silver sheets surround a central silver oval. Great execution. Dimensions: Width 7.2 cm (pendant)...
Silver
1975 Rare Tapio Wirkkala, Gold "Moon Landscape" Necklace
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
A rare 14 karat gold "Moon Landscape" hand hammered necklace, by Tapio Wirkkala, 1975. The necklace measures 22 inches long, with the pendant measuring 2"x2". The pendant is stamped with maker's mark NW for Nils Westerback...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare TAPIO WIRKKALA Silver Moon Pendant
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A sterling silver kinetic pendant by Tapio Wirkkala for Nilo Westerback of Finland. Pendant is comprised of concentric, free-swinging hoops on a central axis. It measures 2 1/2" in...
Sterling Silver