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 12 “Bird” Bottles by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, Finland, 1950s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Karis, Nyland
A striking and rare complete set of 12 “Bird Bottles” designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in the 1950s. These iconic hand-blown glass vessels are celebrated for their organic, rou...
Glass
Signed Purple Timo Sarpaneva Pullo Bird Bottle Glass Vase, Iittala, Finland
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
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
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
Midcentury Timo Sarpaneva Set of 3 Bird Bottles / Vases Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful sculptured bottled handmade in colored glass. This set in three different colors. The bottles were produced by Iittala in 1956-1962 and designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Fu...
Glass
I-401 Purple Glass Bird Bottel/Vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, Finland 1956
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This purple glass 'Bird' bottle or vase was designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in Finland in 1956. It was in production from 1957 to 1966 and was available in various colors. It ...
Glass
Set of Five Colourful Timo Sarpaneva Bird Bottles for 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, 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...
Blown Glass
Set of Three Blue, Green and Violet Bird bottles, Timo Sarpaneva, 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 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...
Blown Glass
Midcentury Collection of 3 Bird Carafes Iittala Timo Sarpaneva Finland, 1950s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Nicely handcrafted art carafes produced by Iittala in 1956-1962 and designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Wonderful worked with a nice deep red and blue color with one smaller in grey / sand c...
Glass
Model 'I-400' Straight Bird Bottle by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, Finland, 1956
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Steenwijk, NL
A design by Timo Sarpaneva from 1956. It was in production from 1957-1966. This specific bottle is engraved "T Sarpaneva 2500". This deep blue version is a more rare color to find an...
Blown 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.
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.
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.
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Glass Bottle / Vase Model Pullo / Bird 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.
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.
Glass
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991 A monumental vase from the Kukinto series. Designed in 1991 by Timo Sarpaneva and produced 1992 by Venini, Murano. In...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Vase "Orkidea" by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large vintage "Orkidea" (Orchid) vase designed by Timo Sarpameva for Iittala in 1953. Marked with incised signature 'TIMO SARPANEVA 236 / 1990' on the base. An authentic piece of F...
Art Glass
Timo Sarpaneva / VASE FINLANDIA(Grey) 3356 / Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
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...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Vintage Vase 'Claritas' by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
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
$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
Vintage Vase 'Orkidea' by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
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
$425 / item
H 9 in W 6 in D 6 in
Five Scandinavian Midcentury Blown Ice Glass Vases by Timo Sarpaneva Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in New York, NY
A collection of five elegant 'Ice Glass' vases by Finnish Artist, Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala. Dimensions: 1) H 9 x 6 x 6; 2) H 6 x 4 x 4; 3) H 6 x 4.5 x 4.5; 4) Cylinder H...
Blown Glass
Timo Sarpaneva / Art Object "Bird's Head" 3566 / Iittala / 1955
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
A sculptural glass work designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1953, titled “Bird’s Head” (Linnunpää). It belongs to a group of works created with the 1954 Milan Triennale in mind, and is di...
Art Glass
Vintage Vase "Orkidea" by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, 1953
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A vintage "Orkidea" (Orchid) vase designed by Timo Sarpameva for Iittala in 1953. Marked with incised signature 'timo sarpaneva 3586' on the base. An authentic piece of Finnish glass...
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
Timo Sarpaneva, "Orchid" Vase, Glass, Finland, 1950s
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in High Point, NC
Blown glass "Orchid" vase designed by Timo Sarapaneva and produced by Iittala, Finland, 1950s.
Blown Glass
Pair of Vases by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in Bamboo Shape Glass
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
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 ...
Blown Glass
Timo Sarpaneva, blue Bird Bottle, Ittala, 1950s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Ittala
Located in Uppsala, SE
The famous bird bottle by Finnish design icon Timo Sarpaneva for Ittala. The model was designed in 1956. This example is in the very desirable blue colour. Very good vintage conditi...
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva "Bird" Vase or Bottle for Iittala, Finland
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in San Diego, CA
Bird bottle by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala. Hand blown gray glass. Finland. Signed and dated 1957.
Blown Glass
"Tuuli" Glass Bottle by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Tuuli decanter, bottle by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini. Signed Venini, 1990, Sarpaneva.
Murano Glass