Scandinavian Modern "Mutteri' Vase by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Finland
About the Item
- Creator:Kaj Franck (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Diameter: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Minneapolis, MN
- Reference Number:
Kaj Franck
Kaj Gabriel Franck was a leading figure in 20th-century Finnish design, specializing in ceramics and glass. As the creative director of Arabia Ceramics, now part of Iittala, he, along with fellow Finns Timo Sarpaneva and Tapio Wirkkala, helped popularize the bright, warm and curvy aesthetic of Scandinavian modernism. Design Forum Finland’s Kaj Franck Design Prize, established in 1992 and awarded each year around his birthday, is among the country’s most prestigious honors for designers.
Franck was born in 1911 in the city of Vyborg, which now belongs to Russia, but was then part of the Grand Duchy of Finland. He studied furniture design at the Central School of Industrial Design in Helsinki, and after graduating in 1932, worked as a catalogue illustrator for the Riihimäki glassworks, exploring interior and textile design on the side.
Having served in the Finnish armed forces during World War II, Franck joined Arabia in 1945 as their head of design. He remained with the company for many years, steering its line of tableware in a dynamic new direction. Franck professed an aversion to superfluous ornament. His ceramic designs were nevertheless complex and eye-catching, animated with playful, geometric forms. One of his most famous creations for Arabia was the Origami dish from the early 1960s, a glossy all-white serving piece resembling a subtly folded piece of paper with four shallow sections for holding food.
Although his Arabia ceramics became household staples for consumers in Scandinavia and beyond, Franck is better known among collectors for his glass designs, particularly those he created for Iittala starting in the late 1940s. In a 1947 Iittala-sponsored glass competition, Franck shared the top prize with Tapio Wirkkala. In 1950, he designed the company’s iconic Kartio series of pressed-glass pitchers and glasses, which came in different colors that consumers could “mix and match” rather than having to buy a homogeneous set. In 1977, Franck redesigned the series, renamed Teemaa.
Franck’s designs for Iittala embodied the Finnish concept of pelkistetty, which literally means “reduced” and in the design world refers to the pared-down, minimal qualities of modernism. This principle, evidenced in objects like his elegant, unfussy sets of jewel-toned drinking glasses from the 1960s, informed Franck’s view of the manufacturing process as well. Critical of mass production and consumerism, he was one of the country’s first professionals in his field to advocate recycling. He became known as the “conscience of Finnish design,” a role he embraced as a professor and later artistic director at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki.
In honor of Franck’s 100th birthday, in 2011, Iittala reissued Kartio glasses, Teema tableware and Purnukka jars, among other of his designs that retain their contemporary feel decades after their creation.
Find vintage Kaj Franck glass, vases and other furniture and decor on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Minneapolis, MN
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Midcentury Scandinavian Glass Vase and DishLocated in Minneapolis, MNConsider this Scandinavian vase and dish set the next addition to your blossoming midcentury decorative glass collection. The modernist des...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vases
- Mid-Century Modern Floor VaseLocated in Minneapolis, MNA lovely accent for just about any room-- use this to display greenery/ tall floral or just as a conversation piece all on it's own. Olive green-- pineapple, diamond or grenade motif...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Scandinavian Modern Occasional ChestLocated in Minneapolis, MNAn adaptable small scale storage piece. designed and made in Sweden. Oak case with brass hardware.Two adjustable shelves on right side of case. Professional, skilled furniture resto...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsOak
- Scandinavian Modern Penguin Side ChairBy Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in Minneapolis, MNTheis original 'Penguin' Chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen ais crafted from teak and European beech wood. As comfortable as it is beautiful. Professional, skilled furniture restoration is a...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Teak
- Scandinavian Modern Upholstered Pine BenchLocated in Minneapolis, MNA traditional and transitional modern pine bench with upholstery. Storage compartment under seat. Professional, skilled furniture restoration is...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Benches
MaterialsUpholstery, Pine
- Scandinavian Modern Nikari Oak BenchBy Jenni RoininenLocated in Minneapolis, MNJenni Roininen designed "Detalji" bench produced by Finnish manufacturer Nikari. The Detalji bench combines some of the finest elements of Finnish woodworking and textile design. Oak...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Benches
MaterialsPapercord, Oak
- Large Kaj Franck Blue Midcentury Vase Kartio by Nuutajarvi Nottsjo FinlandBy Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj FranckLocated in Vienna, ATA fine, large 11 1/2 inches high Kartio flower vase in blue from the 1950s. Designed by Kaj Franck, executed by Nuutajarvi Nottsjo Finland. In excellent condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Kaj Franck Scandinavian Modern handblown yellow glass Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1961By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj FranckLocated in EL Waalre, NLKaj Franck Scandinavian Modern handblown yellow glass Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1961 A tapered oval shaped yellow and clear cased glass and brim cut art-object, designed by Kaj Franck in 19...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
- Kaj Franck Prisma Vase Crystal Glass Nuutajärvi Notsjö Finland, 1964By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi NotsjõLocated in Basel, BSOutstanding glass piece by the Finnish master Kaj Franck, model ‚Prisma‘ for Nuutajärvi in Notsjö, Finland, 1964. Mouth-blown and hand-polished crystal with a blue and yellow laye...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCrystal
- Mid Century Kaj Franck Cobalt Blue Glass Vase for Nuutajarvi Notsjo, FinlandBy Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj FranckLocated in Bedford Hills, NYStunning cobalt blue glass vase by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi, Finland.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Kaj Franck Rooster Bottle for Nuutajärvi 1963By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj FranckLocated in Helsinki, FIA beautiful mould-blown glass decanter by the renowned designer Kaj Franck. This object has a distinctive cock stopper on the top, but can be used with or without. This particular series of decanters by Kaj Franck was manufactured for a limited time only, from 1955-1968. This beautiful and rare piece is signed Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi notsjö -63, and is really something exceptional to own or collect. We have a few more items by Kaj Franck on our selection on 1stdibs. The Kremlin bells...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Model N 402 Glass bowl, Nuutajärvi Notsjö, 1960sBy Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi NotsjõLocated in Helsinki, FIScandinavian modern model N 402 glass bowl designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi Notsjö in the 1960s. Blown glass, signed in the bottom, good vintage condition. Kaj Franck is one of...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass