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 "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 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 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
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
Set of Two Large Bronze Door Handles, 1970s
Located in Catania, IT
Set of two large Italian bronze handles, These identical handles can be applied inside or outside on a pair of double doors next to each other or on a single door on opposite sides.
Bronze
$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
Brutalist Brass Bronze Push and Pull Front Door Handle 1960s
Located in Nienstädt, DE
Brutalist front door handle Cast bronze Height 15.5 cm Width 11.5 cm Depth 5.5 cm Good condition with a patina consistent with age
Bronze
$617 / set
H 5.91 in W 3.94 in D 1.58 in
Polished Solid Brass Batlló Door Handle by Antoni Gaudi - Set of 2
By Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, ES
Solid cast brass with polished finish. A company that has always attributed such great importance to the author of the designs could never forget the great figures in history. That is why the BD catalogue of contemporary creations has always included those by admired classical masters. Antoni Gaudí (1852/1926) is, without doubt, the most internationally well-known Spanish architect. But is not only his buildings and brilliant architectural solutions that have travelled the globe. His integrated conception of architecture led him to pay attention, not only to structural calculations, but also to all the decorative elements, including furniture, that would form part of the building. The admiration felt by modern designers for the furniture designed by Gaudí has not gone unnoticed by BD which was the first company to rescue them from history by embarking on their serial production using...
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
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
Rizo Fluid Door Pull Handle Handcrafted in Brass
By RIZO
Located in Mumbai, IN
Fluid is a distinguished sculptural element for furniture, wardrobes & doors enabling you to create a statement with the fluidity and modernity of its form. The solid brass element i...
Brass
$2,010 / set
H 14.97 in W 6.3 in D 3.94 in
Four beautiful, large, original 1960s designer door handles made of aluminum
Located in München, DE
4 beautiful aluminum door handles featuring a 1960s design. Unique, high-quality design typical of the 1960s. Used only indoors, but certainly suitable for covered outdoor areas as w...
Aluminum
$1,137 / 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
Set Of 2 T3 Sculptural Door Handles by Okurayama
By Okurayama Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 T3 Sculptural Door Handles by Okurayama One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 9 x W 4 x H 80 cm. Materials: Daté Kan Stone and iron. The iron refined by craftsman Jun Tanaka is pre...
Stone, Iron
$258Sale Price|37% 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
$18,382 / set
H 2.76 in W 1.78 in D 9.93 in
Alvar Aalto Extremely rare set of 6 brass door handles made in Finland originals
By Alvar Aalto, Erik Gunnar Asplund
Located in Forest, BE
Extremely rare set of 6 massive brass door handles by master finish architect Alvar Aalto. ________________________________________________________ Son travail comprend également le...
Metal, Chrome
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