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 14K Gold "Omena" Earrings, 2002, Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in New York, NY
This pair of 14 karat yellow gold Omena (Apple) earrings was designed by Tapio Wirkkala and made in Finland in 2002. The earrings weigh 7.32 grams and measure 1.69 inches long by 1.1...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Dangle Pearl Earrings #25747
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Dangle Pearl Earrings Add timeless elegance to any jewelry collection with these 14K Yellow Gold Dangle Pearl Earrings. Expertly crafted from genuine 14K yellow gold...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Earrings
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Emerald and diamond earrings in 14k yellow gold settings. The settings are 14k and the posts test 10k gold. The natural emeralds are marquise shape and have a very nice color, 1.00 t...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$495 / set
14K Gold Hoop Earrings circa 1980s
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Timeless and chic 14k gold dangle earrings. The earrings feature three circles stacked on top of one another in a beautiful textured gold metal. Balance them out with your gold Cartier love rings or create a contrast by styling them with your favorite Louis Vuitton padlock necklace...
14k Gold
Antique 14K Yellow Gold Filigree Dangle Earrings
Located in Rotterdam, NL
These Early 20th century 14 karat yellow gold dangle earrings are beautifully made of fine filigree. The filigree is delicately made of thin gol...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,558 / set
14k Gold & Diamond Earrings
Located in Great neck, NY
14K YG DIAMOND RECTANGLE EARRINGS -Diamond Weight: D0.35 This piece is perfect for everyday wear and makes the perfect Gift! We certify that this...
Diamond, 14k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Jade Dangle Earrings #25823
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Jade Dangle Earrings Classic 14K yellow gold stud earrings featuring genuine jade gemstones in a polished setting. With their rich green color and timeless design, t...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Citrine briolette 14k gold earrings studs.
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Citrine briolette 14k gold earrings studs. Water lily 14k gold earrings. Citrine gold earrings. Citrine flower earrings. Gold leaves earrings. Nov...
Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold
Amethyst cabochon 14k gold earrings.
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Amethyst cabochon 14k gold earrings. Amethyst flower earrings. Clower amethyst earrings. Thee-Leaf Clover Studs Earings in 14k gold. Lucky Clover St...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
14k Gold Diamond Feather Dangle Earrings
Located in Great neck, NY
14K GOLD DIAMOND FEATHER DANGLE EARRINGS - Diamond Weight: 0.32 ct. -Diamond Count: 100 -Gold Weight: 10.76 grams (approx.) -Earring Length: 2...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Amethyst 14k gold earrings studs.
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Amethyst 14k gold earrings studs. Amethyst flower earrings. Clower amethyst earrings. Thee-Leaf Clover Studs Earings in 14k gold. Lucky Clover Stud Earrings. Amethyst danity earrings...
Diamond, Amethyst, 14k Gold
Herringbone Chain 14K Yellow Gold 'Bow' Earrings.
By Gold Adore
Located in San Francisco, CA
Oh the drama! These fab Herringbone bow earrings really make a statement! And you have no idea how long it took me to craft these perfectly! Totally worth it. Crafted in 14K Yellow G...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pear ruby flower 14k gold earrings.
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Pear ruby flower 14k gold earrings. Ruby gold earrings. Flower gold earrins. Lotus gold earrings. Ruby dangle earrings. July birthstone earrings. Metal: 14k gold Weight: 3.8 gr Earr...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Citrine 14k gold earrings studs.
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Citrine 14k gold earrings studs. Citrine statement earrings. Delicate citrine earrings studs. Diamond triangle earrings. Metal: 14k gold weight: 4 g...
Diamond, Citrine, 14k Gold
14K White Gold Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Stuart, FL
14l white gold diamond dangle earrings. The diamonds in these earrings are all round, they have a width of 8.6 mm, a length of 44 mm, an...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,884Sale Price / item|44% Off
Vintage style garnet earrings 14k gold
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Vintage style garnet earrings 14k gold. Dangle garnet earrings. Cocktail earrings with garnet. Weight: 5 gr Metal: 14k gold Central gemstone: garnet, pear cut, 2 ct each gemstone, t...
Garnet, 14k Gold
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