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 Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks by Timo Sarpeneva
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver candlesticks, hallmarked for Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1950s, Timo Sarpeneva, maker. Each candlestick measures 2 1/4 inches high x 2 1/2 in...
Sterling Silver
Pair of American Tiffany Sterling Silver Monkey Candlesticks
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of American Tiffany sterling silver monkey candlesticks.
$2,836 / set
H 11.03 in Dm 10.24 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Silver Candelabras, Enameled Cabochon - Spain
Located in Girona, Girona
Pair of candelabras, sterling silver, three branches, central red enameled cabochon, weight on base. Stamps: Star and illegible, M on base. Star stamp is ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$22,463Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 10.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
1763 Pair of George III Sterling Silver Candlesticks by William Cafe, English
By William Cafe
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing an exceptional pair of George III sterling silver candlesticks, meticulously created in 1763 by the skilled silversmith William Café. These candlesticks stand as a testam...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By James Dixon & Sons
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks in the arts and crafts style, hallmarked in the city of Sheffield in 1905/06 by James Dixon...
Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By Robert Garrard II 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive pair of antique George IV English cast sterling silver candlesticks made by Robert Garrard II; an addition of our ornamental silverware collection ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,325 / set
H 10.5 in W 5.38 in D 4.25 in
Pair of American Edwardian Sterling Silver Candlesticks by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1905. Each: Ovoid, tapering, and fluted shaft with interlaced script monogram; stepped oval foot. Urn ...
Sterling Silver
$4,500 / set
H 4.75 in W 9.25 in D 4.5 in
Four Mid Century Sterling Silver Double Branch Candlesticks by J. Tostrup Norway
By Jacob Tostrup
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four double branch sterling candlesticks were made in the period and style of Mid-Century Modern and are signed by J. Tostrup of Norway. Each candlestick has a black enam...
Sterling Silver
$4,728
H 14.18 in W 11.82 in D 5.91 in
Antique Sterling Silver Pair of Candlesticks, London 1923 Morris Salkind
By Morris Salkind
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1923 by Morris Salkind, this attractive pair of antique sterling silver candlesticks, feature chased swags and bows, and are unfilled. Each candlestick me...
Sterling Silver
Fine Pair of Mid 20th Century Sterling Silver Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine pair of mid 20th Century sterling silver candlesticks, the elegant tapering baluster stem with concentric rings throughout, supported on circular domed base, Birmingham, 1961,...
Silver
$2,800 / set
H 11.38 in W 4.63 in D 4.63 in
Pair of English Edwardian Neoclassical Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By Lionel Alfred Crichton 1
Located in New York, NY
Pair of George V sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Lionel Alfred Crichton in London in 1917. Each: Tapering and fluted pillar supporting urn...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Modern Candlesticks
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Pair of sterling silver candlisticks with one light. The structure has been realized by a smooth sheet of silver. The wave movement is realized with manufacturing by handmade. On the...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Candlesticks, 1927
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are happy to offer you this pair of sterling silver candlesticks by Gorham Silversmiths of Providence, Rhode Island. Hallmarked 1927, there’s an inscription on the bottom-side “Fr...
Sterling Silver