"Devil's Fist" Sculpture in Hand-Shaped Glass by Timo Sarpaneva, 1951
View Similar Items
"Devil's Fist" Sculpture in Hand-Shaped Glass by Timo Sarpaneva, 1951
About the Item
- Creator:Iittala (Manufacturer),Timo Sarpaneva (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Width: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
- Style:Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: SG15091stDibs: LU877114580871
Timo Sarpaneva
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.
- Crystal Pendant Light in Gray Hand Blown Glass by Jeff Zimmerman, 2017By Jeff ZimmermanLocated in New York, NYCrystal illuminated sculptural pendant in hand blown dark gray glass. Designed and made by Jeff Zimmerman, USA, 2017.Category
2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass
Price Upon Request - Unique Sculptural Vessel in Silver Mirrorized Hand-Blown Glass by Jeff ZimmermanBy Jeff ZimmermanLocated in New York, NYUnique sculptural vessel in silver mirrorized hand-blown glass. Designed and made by Jeff Zimmerman, USA, 2015.Category
2010s American Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsGlass
- "Crystal" Sculptural Vessel in White Hand Blown Glass, Jeff ZimmermanBy Jeff ZimmermanLocated in New York, NYUnique "Crystal" sculptural vessel in hand blown white glass. Designed and made by Jeff Zimmerman, USA, 2015. Limited number available. Please note that each item may differ sligh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
Price Upon Request - Sculptural Pendant Light in Turquoise Glass by Jeff Zimmerman, 2016By Jeff ZimmermanLocated in New York, NYCrystal illuminated sculptural pendant in hand-blown turquoise glass. Designed and made by Jeff Zimmerman, USA, 2016.Category
2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass
Price Upon Request - "Fertility Form" Pendant Light in Terrazzo by Rogan Gregory, 2018By Rogan GregoryLocated in New York, NYRogan Gregory. "Fertility Form" illuminated sculpture. Naturally derived terrazzo, pigment. USA, 2018.Category
2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsConcrete
Price Upon Request - "Therapeutic Toy" Magic Horse in Orange Jute by Renate Müller, 2015By Renate MüllerLocated in New York, NYTherapeutic toy magic horse in orange jute with black leather detailing. Designed and made by Renate Müller, Germany, 2015.Category
2010s German Toys and Dolls
MaterialsJute, Leather
Price Upon Request
- Glass "Devil's Churn" Vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, 1955By Iittala, Timo SarpanevaLocated in New York, NYLarge "Devil's Churn" vase in frosted glass, manufactured by Iittala around 1950s-60s. Designer by Timo Sarpaneva a Finnish designer and sculptor. Engraved on bottom: Timo Sarpaneva ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Glass “Devil’s Cradle” Bowl by Timo Sarpaneva for IittalaBy Timo SarpanevaLocated in Stockholm, SEBeautiful “Devil’s Cradle” bowl by Timo Sarpaneva, made in thick glass quality in an organic, rounded form. Two holes close to the edge. Frosted surface.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsGlass
- Timo Sarpaneva Rare, Glass Vase 'Devil's Pearl" 1955 for Iittala, SignedBy Timo Sarpaneva, IttalaLocated in Los Angeles, CAJust an amazing glass vase, very rare and a great design, by Timo Sarpaneva. Has a flea bite on rim as show in picture.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Scandinavian Modern Timo Sarpaneva Crystal Art Sculpture Orchid Handblown 1957By Timo Sarpaneva, IittalaLocated in EL Waalre, NLScandinavian Modern Timo Sarpaneva Crystal Art Object Sculpture Orchid 1957 Clear lead crystal glass, steam blown interior, cut and surface pol...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Glass
MaterialsCrystal
- Scandinavian Modern Blown Glass Orchid Vase 1987 by Timo Sarpaneva, FinlandBy Iittala, Timo SarpanevaLocated in Miami, FLREDUCED FROM $790....From Finnish master glassmaker Timo Sarpaneva 1926-2006, a 1987 production of the iconic orchid sculptural bud vase in blown lead crystal. Designed in 1953 in cl...Category
Vintage 1980s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
$630 Sale Price20% Off - Scandinavian Modern Timo Sarpaneva Crystal Art Sculpture Claritas Handblown 1992By Timo Sarpaneva, IittalaLocated in EL Waalre, NLTimo Sarpaneva – Freeblown crystal Art-Object “Claritas” – Iittala, Finland 1997 A freeblown clear, white and black coloured crystal Art-object / sculpture “Claritas”. Designed by f...Category
1990s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass
MaterialsCrystal
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Golden Boy of Finland’s Golden Age of Design
Timo Sarpaneva used unconventional methods to create the highly expressive yet functional works that made him one of his nation's design treasures.
The Weird Science of Rogan Gregory’s Hypnotic Designs
Using stone, wood and bronze, the wildly inventive sculptor creates an entirely new species of functional art object.