Signed Mid-Century Tapio Wirkkala “Avena" Vase For Iittala, Finland c.1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Iittala (Manufacturer),Tapio Wirkkala (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Width: 4.34 in (11 cm)Depth: 3.55 in (9 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. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Oldrich Lipsky Cased & Cut Glass Vase For Novy Bor Exbor, Czechoslovakia c.1964By Oldrich Lipsky, ExborLocated in London, GBFor sale is a Mid-Century Bohemian three-colour cased, cut and polished vase designed by renowned Czech glass artist, Oldrich Lipsky in c.1964 for the Novy Bor (EXBOR) glass foundry....Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Sommerso
- Pavel Hlava Cased & Cut Glass Vase For Novy Bor Exbor, Czechoslovakia c.1960sBy Pavel Hlava, ExborLocated in London, GBFor sale is a rare Mid-Century Bohemian cased glass vase with cut facets, from a range by renowned Czech glass designer, Pavel Hlava, designed c.1...Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Sommerso
- Postmodern Ettore Sottsass Model 592 "Fischietto" Vase For Habitat, 2000By Ettore Sottsass, Habitat InternationalLocated in London, GBFor sale a rare & iconic Post-Modern “FISCHIETTO” ("Whistle" in Italian) vase designed by Ettore Sottsass, produced by Habitat in 2000 and made of earthenware, glazed in light & dark...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Earthenware
- Mid-Century Red "Hebi" Adjustable Table Lamp, Valenti 1970sBy Isao HosoeLocated in London, GBFor sale is this wonderfully playful Mid-Century red "Hebi" table lamp, attributed to Isao Hosoe. Hosoe originally designed the Hebi lamp in 1972, which was produced by Valenti Luc...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Vintage Bauhaus 'Spritzdekor' Airbrushed Ceramic Vase, Germany 1940sLocated in London, GBFor sale is a German Modernist, Bauhaus style ‘Spritzdekor’ (or airbrush) ceramic vase with a geometric design, dating from circa the 1940s. The vase, which has no manufacturer's ma...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Tall Signed Nils Kähler Lamp for Herman A. Kähler, Mid-Century Denmark 1960sBy Herman A. Kahler Keramik, Nils KählerLocated in London, GBFor sale is an elegant Mid-Century Modernist table lamp designed by master ceramicist, Nils Kähler for Herman A. Kähler (HAK) of Denmark, in the 1960s. This tall version of this sto...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware
- "Avena" Ice Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala of FinlandBy Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in San Diego, CAA gorgeous "Avena" ice glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala of Finland, circa 1970s. The vase is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks, signed and numbered on t...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Vase 'Niva' by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland 1970sBy Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated 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
- Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1970s CenterpieceBy Iittala, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Parma, ITCrystal centerpiece designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1970s. Central part with "ice" effect. In excellent conditions.Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Pair of "Avena" Ice Glass Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala of FinlandBy Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in San Diego, CAA great pair of "Avena" ice glass vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala of Finland, circa 1970s. Both vases are signed and numbered on the underside and are in excellent used condi...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsGlass
- Tapio Wirkkala Iittala Finnish Modernist Kanttarelli VaseBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Palm Springs, CAIittala Kanttarelli vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Vase measures 5" by 4.5" and is signed on the bottom Tapio Wirkkala, Iitala. In very good vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 'Sointi' Clear Glass Vase, 1970, Beautiful ExampleBy Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in London, GBTapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1970 ‘Sointu’ (Chord) vase Clear glass Excellent condition Engraved signature to underside ‘TW’ This design was in production from 1970 to 1992. D...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
