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.
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
Timo Sarpaneva, Dish, Glass, Finland, 1970s
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in High Point, NC
A glass dish designed by Timo Sarpaneva and produced by Ittala, Finland, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 1.625" Height x 9.45" Diameter All items ship from High Point, North...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Red Enamel Pot Teak Handle Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland
By Rosenlew and Co. of Finland, Timo Sarpaneva
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
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
1960s Scandinavian Modern Blue-Tinted Art Glass Bowl by Timo Sarpaneva, Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in North Miami, FL
1960s Scandinavian Modern blue-tinted art glass decorative bowl by Timo Sarpaneva, Finland By: Timo Sarpaneva Material: glass, art glass Technique: molded, pressed, hand-crafted Dim...
Glass, Art Glass
Mid-Century Modern Red Enamel Pot Teak Handle Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland
By Rosenlew and Co. of Finland, Timo Sarpaneva
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
Mid-Century Modern Red Enamel Pot Teak Handle Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland
By Rosenlew and Co. of Finland, Timo Sarpaneva
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
Mid-Century Modern Black Enamel Pot Teak Handle Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva, Rosenlew and Co. of Finland
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
Mid-Century Modern Black Enamel Pot Teak Handle Timo Sarpaneva Rosenlew Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva, Rosenlew and Co. of Finland
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
Glass “Devil’s Cradle” Bowl by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful “Devil’s Cradle” bowl by Timo Sarpaneva, made in thick glass quality in an organic, rounded form. Two holes close to the edge. Frosted surface.
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
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...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Heavy Sculptural Glass Bowl, Finland, 1960s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Tamara Aladin
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Mid-Century Modern Heavy Sculptural Glass Bowl, Finland, 1960s Heavy and sculptural handblown glass bowl from Finland, 1960s. The piece is crafted in thick glass with fluid, organic...
Glass
1960s Solid Teak Bowl Scandinavian Modern
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Scandinavian Modern Teak bowl Solid wood. Unmarked 4 h x 12 Diameter Preowned vintage Refer to images for condition
Teak
$750
H 6.5 in Dm 4.25 in
Signed Blue Timo Sarpaneva Pullo Bird Bottle Glass Vase, Iittala, Finland, 1950s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful art glass bottle vase, model „Pullo“ in blue from the 1950s. Designed by Timo Sarpaneva, executed by Iittala Finland. In good condition with marginal wear.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
$895 / set
H 7.29 in Dm 3.43 in
Set of 6 Glass 'Festivo' Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala, Finland, 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, Kaj Franck, Iittala
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of 6 'Festivo' glass candle holders. Designed by Timo Sarpaneva 1967 and made by Iittala in Finland, 1970s. Great condition. Signed 'TS' underneath. Height: 8,3 - 18,5 cm D...
Glass
$1,700 / set
H 9.75 in Dm 3.5 in
20th Century Finnish Set of Twelve Vintage Candle Holders by Timo Sarpaneva
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern set of Twelve Finnish Ljusstakar, candle holders made of hand blown molded glass, designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Festivo - Iittala, in good condition. Th...
Glass
$240Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 7.25 in Dm 3.39 in
Set of 3 Iittala Finnish Candlesticks Designed by Timo Sarpaneva
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
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
$180
H 8.75 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
1970s Arkipelago Glass Icicle Candle Holder Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Arkipelago Glass Icicle Single candle holder Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Finland 8.75 tall x 2.25 x 2.25 Part of the Arkipelago line designed b...
Art Glass
Mid-Century Rattan Basket Tray by Artek, Finland 1960s
By Artek
Located in Utrecht, NL
This lovely and stylish rattan tray was designed and made by Artek in Finland during the 1960s. It is hand woven from cane and rattan, and exemplifies Artek's commitment to blending ...
Rattan
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
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...
Crystal
Timo Sarpaneva Orchid Art Glass Vase for Littala Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Miami, FL
A large orchid vase by Timo Sarpaneva.
Art Glass
Sold
H 3 in W 6 in D 6 in
Set of 4 Coffee Cups & Saucers Designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal Suomi
By Rosenthal, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice design simple elegant beautiful set of 4 cups and saucers designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal studio, circa 1970's excellent condition no chips or cracks, Suomi from Finland.
Porcelain
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.
Porcelain