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.
Timo Sarpaneva Bottle / Vase Model Pullo / Bird Vase by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass bottle / vase model Pullo / Bird vase designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland.
Glass
$140Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pair of Large Bowls Designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal Studio
By Timo Sarpaneva, Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice design simple elegant porcelain bowl designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal studio, circa 1970's excellent condition no chips or cracks Buyer has the option to buy 1 or 2.
Porcelain
Glass Bottle / Vase in Glass by Timo Sarpaneva, 1957
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass Bottle / Vase in Glass by Timo Sarpaneva, 1957 Additional Information: Material: Glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Glass bottle / vase model Pullo Produced by Iittala in ...
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Bottle / Vase Model Pullo / Bird Vase by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass bottle / vase model Pullo / Bird vase designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland.
Glass
$3,828Sale Price|20% Off
Timo Sarpaneva "Kotilo" vase, by Venini & Co., Italy, 1990
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Zurich, CH
Timo Sarpaneva "Kotilo" vase, by Venin, Italy, 1990 Three layers of glass manufactured with the "wet stick" - method where they use vaporizing water to "blow" the glass in it's shap...
Murano Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Glass Bottle / Vase Model Pullo / Bird by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass bottle / vase model Pullo / Bird vase designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland.
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Glass Vases 'Orchid' by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass vases model Orchid designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland.
Glass
Timo Sarpeneva Glass Bottle / Vase Model Pullo / Bird Vase by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass bottle / vase model Pullo / Bird vase designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland.
Glass
Venini Kukinto Glass Vase - Design Timo Sarpaneva - Damiani
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Design: Timo Sarpaneva Model: Kukinto Collection: Kukinto Year: 1991 Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. The Kukinto ...
Glass
Kukinto Vases Collection by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini 1991
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The skirt of a dancer. A Nordic blossom moving in the wind. The colours of these works chase, touch and sometimes merge on the waves created by the breath of a master glassmiths. Wit...
Murano Glass
Kukinto Vases Collection by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini 1991
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The skirt of a dancer. A Nordic blossom moving in the wind. The colours of these works chase, touch and sometimes merge on the waves created by the breath of a master glassmiths. Wit...
Murano Glass
$1,250 / set
Timo Sarpanveva Set of 4 Candlesticks
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Chicago, IL
1960s Timo Sarpaneva candlesticks. A nice set of 4 in complimentary heights.
Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Kelo Model by Timo Sarpeneva for Venini, Italy
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Murano glass vase designed by Timo Sarpeneva for Venini in 1988. Exhibited at Tingo design gallery in 2008 for the exhibition Murano a go-go. Out production. Original label and signed.
Murano Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Bottle / Vase Model Pullo Produced by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass bottle / vase model Pullo designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland.
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Glass Vase Model Pullo Produced by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass bottle or vase model Pullo or Bird vase designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland.
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Glass Vases by Iittala in Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of three glass vases / bird bottles / sculpture designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Produced by Iittala in Finland. Signed ‘T Sarpaneva 2509’.
Glass