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.
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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
Chaumet Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold Sapphire Clip Brooch, Circa 1960s
By Chaumet
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
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Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lava stone cameo brooch set in 18ct gold
Located in Milano, MI
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Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold Stamped, 1980s Italian Enamel Ladybug Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
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Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 18ct Gold Stamped, 1980s Diamond Cat Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
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Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold, 1970s Ruby Eyed Dog Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
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Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold Italy Stamped, 1960s Ruby Mouse Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
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Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, 1920s Diamond & Garnet Tigers Head Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
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Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1969 Ben Rosenfeld Horse Brooch – 18ct Yellow Gold, Diamond & Ruby
Located in London, GB
An exquisite vintage brooch crafted by renowned British jeweller Ben Rosenfeld, dated 1969. This finely detailed horse motif is rendered in solid 18ct yellow gold, featuring a textu...
Diamond, 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
Antique 18ct Gold, Edwardian Diamond & Emerald Lizard Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
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Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 18ct Gold & Platinum Pink Pearl & Diamond Brooch - c.1920
Located in London, GB
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Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Victorian 18ct Gold Rose Cut Diamond Heart Brooch Pendant, 1890
Located in Firenze, IT
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Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel, Gold