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.
Set of 9 Timo Sarpaneva "Lasta" Door Handles in Brass, Primo Oy 1960s
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of beautifully patinated "Lasta" brass door handles designed by Timo Sarpaneva and manufactured by Primo Oy in Finland in the 1960s. Timo Sarpaneva was an internationally wel...
Brass, Iron
Set of 9 Timo Sarpaneva "Pallo" Door Handles, Primo Oy 1960s
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of 9 beautiful "pallo" door handles designed by Timo Sarpaneva and manufactured by Primo Oy in Finland in the 1960s. These distinct door handles feature bright red balls ("pall...
Metal
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 2 cm Materials: Aluminum Palais lever handle in aluminium. Each handle i...
Aluminum
Italian 1950s Brass Door Handles
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid brass door handle in concave round form Measuring diameter 9.8 x 11.2 total of the two handles
Brass
Set of 3 Art Deco Glass Door Handles with Plates
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous set of 3 Art Deco glass door handles with plates. Amazingly complete set! Probably made in the US circa 1925-30. These ar...
Chrome
Vintage MCM Bronze Door Handles - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your architectural entry with this exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist door handles. Expertly cast in substantial bronze, th...
Bronze
Italian Brass Door Handles 1950s
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Italian 1950s brass door handles with a textured hand hammered finish forming a v-shape.
Brass
$800 / item
H 1.58 in W 7.88 in D 3.86 in
Set of SAS Hotel Midcentury Door Handles in Solid Brass by Arne Jacobsen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of door handles designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen by MAA. Arne Jacobsen in 1958. Made in Denmark, great condition. 20 sets availa...
Brass
$1,168 / set
H 7.88 in W 8.67 in D 1.58 in
1930s French Art Deco Brass Door Handle Sets with Keyhole Backplates, Set of 3
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant Set of Three Pairs of French Art Deco Brass Door Handles with Backplates, circa 1930s A beautifully preserved set of three pairs of French Art Deco door handles in solid brass...
Brass
Four brass Door Handles , Italy 1960
Located in Bronx, NY
Four Italian brass door handles from the 1940s, comes with plates for keyshole.
Brass
Very Nice 1960s Pop Art Sunburst Design Cast Aluminum Door Handle
Located in München, DE
Beautiful Pop Art Sunburst Design door handle. Great design original from the 1960s Made from solid cast aluminum. Made in Germany. Undamaged condition with very slight signs of w...
Aluminum
$265Sale Price|35% Off
H 8.27 in W 2.37 in D 7.88 in
Bauhaus Era Door Handle Set in Bronze and Brass, 1930s, 1 Set
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Door Handle in brass and bronze. The solid brass spindles are thick and rounded of softly due to excessive use over the years. Suitable for your office, Conservatory, Atrium etc. It ...
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Italian 1950s Gilt Brass Door Handles
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Italian 1950s Brass and gilt door handles with futurist horizontal ribbing in the form of modernist wings.
Brass
$395 / set
H 1.46 in W 1.46 in D 2.17 in
Vintage Swedish Lime Green Glass Furniture or Door Knobs, 1960s, Set of 6
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of 6 (4/2) glass door/drawer/cabinet knobs. Hand-made in Sweden during the 1960s - 4 of them by Verrina. Same lime green color with brass spacers but two slightly diffrent des...
Brass
Timo Sarpaneva Set of Seven "Lasta" Brass Door Handles
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of beautifully patinated "Lasta" brass door handles by Timo Sarpaneva. Made by Primo Oy 1960s. This set is in original condition. Please note that the measurements are per one...
Brass, Iron