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
$3,575 / set
H 9.67 in Dm 4.5 in
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Candlesticks Mid-Century Modern
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Tiffany & Co. sterling silver candlesticks in Mid-Century Modern style, with an elegant, geometric design, standing on a stepped octagonal base. They measure 9 2/3'' in heigh...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$882Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 8.27 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Candle Holder Sterling Silver Antique Rococo Style Candlesticks, 1937s
Located in Wembley, GB
An exquisite pair of antique Rococo-style silver candlesticks by the distinguished Swedish silversmith C.G. Hallberg, Stockholm, circa 1937. Each piece is pressed, cast, and finely c...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$8,850Sale Price / set|70% Off
H 9.75 in Dm 5.5 in
Pair of Sterling Silver Cymric Candlesticks, Archibald Knox for Liberty and Co
By Archibald Knox
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceedingly Rare and Important pair of Museum quality old English sterling silver Cymric candlesticks. Exceptional example of silver from the Art...
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
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.
Glass
Sabbath Sterling Modern Candlesticks
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are offering this pair of hammered sterling silver candlesticks that are made in Israel. They have a modern shape and design. They are wide on top and on the bottom and have a mi...
Sterling Silver
$1,060Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Pair of American Tiffany Sterling Silver Monkey Candlesticks
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of American Tiffany sterling silver monkey candlesticks.
Sterling Silver Hurricane Candlesticks
By Mueck-Cary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We’re just thrilled to offer you this pair of sterling silver candlesticks with red glass hurricane lamps. What a gorgeous and unique way to dress up your Christmas table...
Sterling Silver
Elegant Pair of Early 19th Century Neoclassical Silver Candlesticks
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant pair of Austro-Hungarian neoclassical silver candlesticks. Each on circular foot, engraved with flower panels, slightly tapering stem...
Silver
$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
Edwardian Sterling Silver Candlesticks by Harrison Brothers, 1901
By Harrison Brothers & George Howson 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of antique Edwardian English sterling silver candlesticks with sporting interest; an addition to our diverse ornamental silverware collection. These fine antique Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks have plain circular, octagonal paneled form onto an oval spreading base. The cylindrical rounded capital of the antique silver candlesticks retain the original navette shaped detachable push fit sconces. The tapering octagonal paneled column of each candlestick is embellished with impressive applied fluted ornamentation accented with a band of fluted floral designs to the centre. The base is encompassed with further applied narrow fluted...
Silver, 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
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Sterling Silver Candlesticks Holders Hourglass Shape, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair/set of sterling silver candlestick holders, circa 20th century, Israel. Pair have an hourglass shape, hammered design, and small intricate detail at top, center, and...
Sterling Silver