Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 'Sointi' Clear Glass Vase, 1970, Beautiful Example
About the Item
- Creator:Tapio Wirkkala (Designer),Iittala (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.09 in (18 cm)Width: 5.52 in (14 cm)Depth: 3.75 in (9.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1628229446342
Tapio Wirkkala
Along with architect Alvar Aalto, the designer Tapio Wirkkala was Finland’s leading contributor to the Scandinavian interpretation of modernism in the mid-20th century. Prolific and innovative, Wirkkala excelled in a wide range of fields, including glass, furniture, porcelain, jewelry and tableware. The hallmark of his talent was an ability to impart a craft aesthetic based on natural forms — leaves, ice, bubbles, birds — to industrially produced designs.
A native of Helsinki, Wirkkala studied at the national School of Applied Arts and took up a career in graphic design. After serving in the Finnish army during World War II, he joined the glassmaking firm Iittala, an association that would continue to the end of his life. Wirkkala learned every aspect of glassmaking in keeping with his belief that an artist-designer should be involved in all stages of production. His best-known works for Iittala are vases and drinking vessels that resemble either carved ice or icicles. In 1956, Wirkkala began a long relationship with the porcelain maker Rosenthal, for whom he designed elegant table pieces, such as the Finlandia coffee service and the biomorphic Pollo vases.
House Beautiful magazine declared Wirkkala’s Leaf platter the “most beautiful object” of 1951. (The acclaim led to his brief employment stint with industrial designer Raymond Loewy in New York.) That platter was one of the first designs Wirkkala made using laminated sheets of plywood sanded to a smooth surface that resembles an abstract leaf. It would go on to become a motif in many Wirkkala furniture pieces — most notably in inlaid coffee tables for Asko — and in a sense these are the works most emblematic of his personal aesthetic.
Wirkkala was a traditionalist in many ways, but he had a modernist’s practical approach, incorporating his leaf-like spirals into simple, functional objects. That is the core attraction of Wirkkala’s designs: They stand out with a striking, sculptural energy yet blend in as part of a warm and comfortable decor.
Find vintage Tapio Wirkkala furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brighton, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- ‘Stellaria’ Candle Tealight Holder by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1970sBy Iittala, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in London, GBTapio Wirkkala for Iittala, c. 1970 ‘Stellaria’ candle tealight holder Clear textured glass Excellent condition Dimensions, approx..: Diameter 10.5cm, height 6.5cm, weight 2...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBlown Glass
- 'Karelia' Porcelain Leaf-Pattern Dish by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970sBy Rosenthal, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in London, GBTapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, c. 1970 ‘Karelia’ leaf-pattern dish White porcelain Very good condition with only very minor marks Dimensions, approx..: lenght 28cm, width 9cm...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Set of 3 Candle Holders by Markku Salo 'Attr.' for Iittala, 1970sBy Markku Salo, IittalaLocated in London, GBMarkku Salo (attributed) for IIttala, c. 1970 Candle holders, set of 3 Clear pressed glass Excellent condition Dimensions, each approx..: Height 7...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Whitefriars ‘Glacier’ Glass Decanter by Geoffrey Baxter 1960s, for Whisky BrandyBy Geoffrey Baxter, WhitefriarsLocated in London, GBGeoffrey Baxter for Whitefriars, c. 1960s Decanter from the 'Glacier’ range, model number 9725 Clear textured glass Excellent condition without damage Dimensions (approx.): wid...Category
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Glass
MaterialsBlown Glass
- ‘Menuet’ Small Heart-Shaped Vase by Per Lütken for Holmegaard, C. 1960By Per Lutken for Holmegaard, HolmegaardLocated in London, GBPer Lütken for Holmegaard Heart-shaped vase from the 'Menuet' series, designed 1957, this example from 1961 Clear grey-blue tinted blown glass Underside engraved 'PL 1961 Holmeg...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Bruno Mathsson, 'Annika' Table, Designed 1936, Beautiful Early Example pre-warBy Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl MathssonLocated in London, GBBruno Mathsson (designer) Karl Mathsson, Värnamo, Sweden (manufacturer) 'Annika' low table, designed 1936. Curly birch top on laminated birch legs. Stamped to underside 'MADE IN SW...Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBirch
- Vase 'Niva' by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland 1970sBy Iittala, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Berghuelen, DEVase 'Niva' by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland 1970s A vintage 'Niva' (Rushing stream) vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in 1973. Mold blown crystal clear g...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Kantarelli Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1951By Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in Berghuelen, DEKantarelli Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1951 A large vintage 'Kantarelli' (chantertelle) vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in 1951. Mold blown ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1954By Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in Berghuelen, DEVintage Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1954 A large vintage art glass vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967By Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in Berghuelen, DEVintage Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967 A large vintage art glass vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Ice Glass Bowl "Lunaria" by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1972By Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in Berghuelen, DEA vintage "Lunaria" bowl designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in 1972. Marked with etched signature 'TAPIO WIRKKALA' on the rim. Iittala model number 3449. An authentic ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Large Ice Glass Bowl "Lunaria" by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1972By Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in Berghuelen, DEA vintage "Lunaria" bowl designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in 1972. Marked with incised signature 'TAPIO WIRKKALA 3449' on the rim. Iittala model number 3449. An auth...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass