Celebrated glassmaker Timo Sarpaneva was a pioneer of Finnish postwar design. He led the formation of the utilitarian and artistic side of mid-century modern style. Sarpaneva’s glass vases, serveware and table lamps have a sculptural yet functional quality, making them adaptable for both decorative and utilitarian use.
Sarpaneva was born in 1926 in Helsinki and spent his childhood visiting his grandparents in the countryside. There, he was influenced by a barter economy where everything was made by hand and traded for services and wares.
In 1948, Sarpaneva graduated from the Institute for Industrial Arts in Helsinki (now the University of Art and Design Helsinki). He participated in the 1951 Triennale di Milano, submitting an embroidered coffee cozy that confused but delighted the judges and garnered a silver medal.
Around this time, Sarpaneva began experimenting with glassblowing. He transformed the traditional wet-stick method by creating a bubble within the molten glass, allowing him to work from the inside out. In 1954, he returned to the Triennale di Milano and won his first Grand Prize.
In the 1950s, Sarpaneva was hired at the glassware company Iittala, where he became a leading glass designer. Sarpaneva even designed the company logo, which is still used today. He worked for the company for over four decades until his death in 2006 at 79.
Sarpaneva’s illustrious career earned international recognition. His honors included being named Honorary Royal Designer for Industry by the Royal Society of Arts in London in 1963. He received honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Art in London in 1967 and the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1993.
In 2018, the Helsinki Design Museum exhibited a retrospective of “the golden boy of Finland’s Golden Age of design”.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Timo Sarpaneva decorative objects, serveware, lighting and more.
| Average Sold Price |
| $1,615 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
$950 / set
H 2.25 in Dm 2.5 in
Pair of Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks by Timo Sarpeneva
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver candlesticks, hallmarked for Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1950s, Timo Sarpeneva, maker. Each candlestick measures 2 1/4 inches high x 2 1/2 in...
Sterling Silver
$600
H 7.09 in W 10.24 in D 8.67 in
Mid-Century Modern Red Enamel Pot Teak Handle Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva, Rosenlew and Co. of Finland
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Red Enamel Cast Iron Pot with Teak Handle by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenlew of Finland, 1960s Old original Version from Rosenlew of Finland !
Enamel, Iron
$721
H 7.09 in W 10.24 in D 8.47 in
Mid-Century Modern Black Enamel Pot Teak Handle Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland
By Rosenlew and Co. of Finland, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Black Enamel Cast Iron Pot with Teak Handle by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenlew of Finland, 1960s Old original Version from Rosenlew of Finland !
Enamel, Iron
$240Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 7.25 in Dm 3.39 in
Set of 3 Iittala Finnish Candlesticks Designed by Timo Sarpaneva
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 3 staggered in size Iittala candlesticks. Textured clear molded glass composed as a column with projecting bands, a flared mouth and a round base. Designed by Timo Sarpaneva f...
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva, "Bird" Vases, Glass, Finland, 1950s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in High Point, NC
A green and brown hand-blown glass pair of vases, designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Ittala, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 6.18" Height x 4.25" Diameter All items ship from High ...
Blown Glass
$961
H 6.89 in W 11.62 in D 8.08 in
Mid-Century Modern Large Red Enamel Pot by Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland 1960s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Rosenlew and Co. of Finland
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Large Red Enamel Cast Iron Pot by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenlew of Finland, 1960s Old original Version from Rosenlew of Finland !
Enamel, Iron
Timo Sarpaneva / VASE FINLANDIA(Grey) 3356 / Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
The FINLANDIA series, introduced in 1964, was Timo Sarpaneva's masterpiece of the 1960s. While repeatedly exploring and experimenting with glass expression in pursuit of new techniq...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$961
H 5.32 in W 14.97 in D 5.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Large Red Enamel Pot by Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland 1960s
By Rosenlew and Co. of Finland, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Large Red Enamel Cast Iron Pot by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenlew of Finland, 1960s Old original Version from Rosenlew of Finland !
Enamel, Iron
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $1,615 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $200-$5,550 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
