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.
Pair of Finnish Crystal Candleholders by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
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, Iittala Finland Four Candlesticks
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Rijssen, NL
Textured clear molded glass. Composed as a column with projecting bands, a flared mouth and a round base. Designed by Sarpaneva for Liitala, Finland. The tallest, four-ring candle...
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva / Iittala Collection Ice Glass Candlesticks
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A set of four cast ice glass candlesticks two larger matching pair 5" H x 3" Dia. , one 3.25" H x 2.25" Dia. and one 4.75" H x 2.75" Dia. which has a small chip to the inside candle area that can't really be seen . Designed by Timo Sarpaneva and crafted by Iittala Glass...
Glass
Set of Six Timo Sarpaneva Festivo Candlesticks for Iittala
Located in Vienna, AT
Festivo candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala. One of the glasses glued see last two pictures. Glass with bubbles.
Art Glass
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala A vintage set of eight Festivo candle sticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in 1966. A total of 8 different heigh...
Art Glass
$895 / set
H 12.25 in Dm 3.5 in
Set 4 Timo Sarpaneva Festivo Candlesticks Iittala Finland Scandinavian Modern
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 Scandinavian Modern Finland Iittala Art Glass with bubbles Festivo Candle Holders designed by Timo Sarpaneva, made in the late 1970s. Top Ca...
Art Glass
Vintage Vase 'Claritas' by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Vase 'Claritas' by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala A vintage 'Claritas' vase designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in the 1980s. Claritas are created from a highly intricate tec...
Art Glass
$500Sale Price|33% Off
H 9.75 in Dm 3.75 in
Timo Sarpaneva Orchid or Orkidea Sculptural Crystal Vessel 1987 Iittala Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Miami, FL
From Finnish Master Glassmaker Timo Sarpaneva 1926-2006, a 1987 production of the Iconic Orchid Sculptural Bud Vase in blown lead crystal. Designed in 1953 in clear crystal is meant...
Crystal
Timo Sarpaneva Signed Iittala Festivo Art Glass Candle Holders
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of icy crystal candlesticks with 6 defining rings and signed TS on verso. Designed for taper candles and made in Finland. Dimensions: 9 1/2" H x 3 1/2" W Condition: good. no c...
Art Glass
Vintage Vase 'Orkidea' by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Vase 'Orkidea' by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala A large vintage 'Orkidea' (Orchid) vase designed by Timo Sarpameva for Iittala in 1953. Marked with Iittala lable and incised si...
Art Glass
$895 / set
H 7.29 in Dm 3.43 in
Set of 6 Glass 'Festivo' Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala, Finland, 1960s
By Kaj Franck, Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, 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
$144Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.75 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
1970s Arkipelago Glass Icicle Candle Holder Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Finland
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, 1970s Arkipelago Glass Icicle Single candle holder Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Finland Part of the Arkipelago line designed by ...
Art Glass
$295
H 6 in W 2.13 in D 2 in
Timo Sarpaneva Glass "Orkidea" (Orchid) Vase for Iittala, Finland, 20th Century
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Timo Sarpaneva Glass "Orkidea" (Orchid) Vase for Iittala, Finland, 20th Century. This piece is signed to the bottom.
Glass
Signed Purple Timo Sarpaneva Pullo Bird Bottle Glass Vase, Iittala, Finland
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful art glass bottle vase or decanter, model „Pullo“ in violet from the 1950s. Designed by Timo Sarpaneva, executed by Iittala Finland. Fully signed on the bottom. In very go...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
3 Littala Festivo Candle Holders Designed by Timo Sarpaneva
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Oirlo, LI
3 Littala Festivo Candle Holders Designed by Timo Sarpaneva A beautiful glass object from Scandinavia: signed Iittala festivo candlestick candle holder with 1 ring design by Timo Sa...
Art Glass
Sold
H 7.25 in Dm 3.25 in
20th Century Finnish Set of Six Ljusstakar, Glass Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Finnish set of candlesticks made of molded glass. Produced by Festivo - Iittala, designed by Timo Sarpaneva in good condition. The vintage candleholders ...
Glass
Rare Set of Three Ice Glass Candleholders Timo Scarpaneva for Iittala, 1980s
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Rijssen, NL
Set of candleholders designed by for, Finland, circa 1960s. Illuminates beautifully. Due to their width, the candlesticks together make quite the spectacular centerpiece. Reflects th...
Glass
Sold
H 5.12 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
Arkipelago Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, 1970s, Set of 2
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Asaa, DK
Arkipelago candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, 1970s, set of 2 Pair of candleholders in clear crystal cast glass with air bubbles insi...
Crystal
Timo Sarpaneva Brutalist Modern 14 Festivo Textured Glass Candleholders Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $1,250....Group of 14 Festivo textured glass candleholders by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala Finland. According to Iittala's website, Sarpaneva original design was a wine gl...
Art Glass
Collection of Sculptural Festivo Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of sculptural Festivo candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, Finland, circa 1960s. This collection consists of eighteen candlestic...
Glass
Collection of 35 "Ice Crystal" Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful large collection of 35 "Ice Crystal" candlesticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala. Most of them are signed TS or have the Iittala tag. The tallest is 12.25" high ...
Crystal