Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Finnish, 1926-2006
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.
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Creator: Timo Sarpaneva
Timo Sarpaneva 'Cardinal's Hat' for Iittala in Greenish Gray Colour, 1957
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Helsinki, FI
Timo Sarpaneva received the Grand Prix award for this art piece in the Milan Triennial XI in 1957. It was made in a number of different colors. The material is glass, clear and viole...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Small Vintage Vase "Orkidea" by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Small Vintage vase "Orkidea" by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
A small vintage "Orkidea" (Orchid) vase designed by Timo Sarpameva for Iittala in 1953....
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Set of Five Colourful Timo Sarpaneva Bird Bottles for Iittala 1950s
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Helsinki, FI
Timo Sarpaneva was internationally acclaimed and one of Finland`s leading artists and designers. He was especially known for his art glass objects, although he used a number of other materials in his designs, including metal, wood, porcelain and different textiles.
Sarpaneva started designing for Iittala in the 1950s. His i-series is known worldwide. Also the Iittala Logo is his design.
Timo Sarpaneva was awarded an enormous number of awards and medals for his works and designs, both nationally and internationally.
These so called bird bottles...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Kelo by Timo Sarpaneva – Pair of Blown Glass Vases – Venini Murano
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Uccle, BE
Pair of vases with inverted colors.
For the first vase: The exterior is bright red and the interior is deep black. Between these two layers, there is a thin line of white glass, whi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Timo Sarpaneva / VASE FINLANDIA(Grey) 3356 / Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
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...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Kukinto Short Glass Vase in Multicolor by Timo Sarpaneva
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With grace and harmony, glass appears as if floating in the air. It comes to life and starts to move. It moves from tones of Red to Apple Green and Sapphire blue, before ending on cl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
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.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Set of Three Blue, Green and Violet Bird bottles, Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala, 1950s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Helsinki, FI
Timo Sarpaneva was internationally acclaimed and one of Finland`s leading artists and designers. He was especially known for his art glass objects made from blown glass. He did however use a number of other materials in his designs, including metal, wood, porcelain and different textiles.
Sarpaneva started designing for Iittala in the 1950s. His i-series is known worldwide. Also the Iittala Logo is his design.
Timo Sarpaneva was awarded an enormous number of awards and medals for his works and designs, both nationally and internationally.
These so called bird bottles...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown 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.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Pair of Large Bowls Designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal Studio
By Rosenthal, Timo Sarpaneva
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.
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Pair of Finnish Crystal Candleholders by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful pair of Finnish crystal candleholders design by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in 1994. Both candleholders are signed, dated and retain the Iit...
Category
1990s Finnish Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
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 ...
Category
20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
"Kelo" Art Glass Vase
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in New York, NY
"Kelo" Italian art glass vase by
Timo Sarpaneva for Venini & Co.
Glass, clear, black, white and red. Marked: Venini 90 Sarpaneva (engraved).
Category
1990s Italian Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
A Pair of Finnish 1950s Vases Model Orchidéa by Timo Sarpaneva for Ittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the Finnish sculptural pair of vases, model Orckidéa 3568 designed in 1953 in polished crystal glass from Ittala.
It comes with two tower shaped pieces, gently tapered with s...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Timo Sarpaneva for Littala Finland Arkipelago Candlesticks
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of glass candlesticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Littala Finland . Solid clear glass in a pinched waist form with internal controlled bubble detail .
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Collection of Timo Sarpaneva Littala Finland Festivo Candlesticks
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Ferndale, MI
Collection of 31 vintage " Festivo " candlesticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva produced by the Littala glassworks Finland . Glass textured in ice like shapes . Handcrafted work each...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva / VASE FINLANDIA(Clear) 3360 / Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
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...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Faceted Crystal "Orchid" Bud Vase by Timo Sarpaneva for littala, Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite, Mid-Century Modern, faceted crystal "Orchid" bud vase by Timo Sarpaneva for littala, Finland.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
21st Century Kukinto Small Glass Vase in Multicolor by Timo Sarpaneva
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in murano, IT
With grace and harmony, glass appears as if floating in the air. It comes to life and starts to move. It moves from tones of Red to Apple Green and Sapphire blue, before ending on cl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Glass Orkidea Orchid Vase Iittala 1958 Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a small and sweet, mould blown, glass Orkidea or orchid vase, signed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iitala, made in Finland, dated 1958. In excellent condition. The ...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Large Pair of Marcel Crystal Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Littala
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Danville, CA
Large Pair of Marcel crystal candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Littala. Marcel, designed by Timo Sarpaneva, is one of the objects that was created for the new residence of the Presi...
Category
1990s Finnish Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
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.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Timo Sarpeneva for Littala Orkidea or Orchid Sculptural Bud Vase
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Ferndale, MI
Littala glass bud vase by Timo Sarpeneva. Signed on underside.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
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.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Scandinavian Mid-Century Organic Modern Blown Glass Vase by Timo Sarpaneva
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern vase in clear thick mold blown glass by Timo Sarpaneva.
Rare, small production.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Pair of Vases by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in Bamboo Shape Glass
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in London, GB
A pair of hand blown glass vases designed in 1964 by Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006) for Iittala, Finland. Textured glass outside with a bamboo design is achieved by mold-blown technique ...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Six Timo Sarpaneva Glass Candlesticks Littala Festivo Collection
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Toledo, OH
Six graduated size glass candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva 1926-2006. Part of the Littala Festivo Collection. Sizes range from 2.5" to 9.5".
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
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.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
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.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Kukinto Vases Collection by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini 1991
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
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...
Category
2010s Italian Post-Modern Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
21st Century Kukinto Large Glass Vase in Multicolor by Timo Sarpaneva
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in murano, IT
With grace and harmony, glass appears as if floating in the air. It comes to life and starts to move. It moves from tones of Red to Apple Green and Sapphire blue, before ending on cl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Suomi Vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Brussels, BE
Suomi Vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal
Category
1970s Vintage Timo Sarpaneva Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Timo Sarpaneva decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Timo Sarpaneva decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Timo Sarpaneva decorative objects, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 87 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 4 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original decorative objects by Timo Sarpaneva were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Gunnel Nyman, and Kaj Franck. Prices for Timo Sarpaneva decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $115 and can go as high as $10,208, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,221.