Silver Vase by Tapio Wirkkala, 1958
View Similar Items
Silver Vase by Tapio Wirkkala, 1958
About the Item
- Creator:Tapio Wirkkala (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 6.3 in (16 cm)Width: 5.32 in (13.5 cm)Depth: 2.37 in (6 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1958
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Oslo, NO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1540217664342
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.
- Tapio Wirkkala and Dorothy Hafner Vase for RosenthalBy Tapio Wirkkala, Dorothy Hafner, RosenthalLocated in Oslo, NORefreshing vase from the 'Century New Wave' series in porcelain. Designed by Tapio Wirkkala and Dorothy Hafner. Made by Rosenthal from 1985. The vase is an exemplary piece from...Category
Vintage 1980s German Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- Unique Glass Vase by Geir Nustad, 2014By Geir NustadLocated in Oslo, NOStudio work glass vessel with a smooth inner core and rocky outer surface. This piece is part of the IM series by Nustad which beautifully expresses the contrasting light and shap...Category
2010s Scandinavian Organic Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Chandelier by Jonas Hidle, Norway, 1960sBy Jonas HidleLocated in Oslo, NOWonderful and decorative five-armed chandelier in brass, steel and opaline glass. Designed by Jonas Hidle and made in Norway by Høvik Verk from circa 1960s first half. The lamp is fu...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Wonderful Table Lamp by Jac JacobsenBy Jac JacobsenLocated in Oslo, NOCharming table lamp on a painted steel frame. This is the early model L-11 (Luxo-11) by Jac Jacobsen. Made in Norway by his company Jac Jacobsen AS. The PIXAR animation studio ...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
- Functionalist Ceiling Light by Bolmarks, Sweden, 1930sLocated in Oslo, NOSculptural ceiling lamp in steel with shade in opaline glass. Designed and made in Sweden by Bohlmarks, circa second half of 1930. The lamp is ...Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Norwegian Wall Lights by, 1960sLocated in Oslo, NOWonderful and rare pair of wall lights on a copper and painted steel frame. Designed and made in Norway by P.C.P from circa 1960 second half. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCopper, Steel
$1,800 / set
- Tapio Wirkkala Silver Vase, 1978By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FIAbout the designer: Tapio Wirkkala has been awarded a great number of Triennale awards, gold medals and special recognitions. He is internationally acclaimed and has used a number of...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala Green VaseBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Collonge-Bellerive, GETapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) was a renowned Finnish designer and sculptor known for his contributions to the world of design, particularly in glass and ceramic works. Tapio Wirkkala ...Category
1990s Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Tapio Wirkkala red VaseBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Collonge-Bellerive, GETapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) was a renowned Finnish designer and sculptor known for his contributions to the world of design, particularly in glass and ceramic works. Tapio Wirkkala ...Category
1990s Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
$2,843 - Tapio Wirkkala Ovalis Glass VaseBy Iittala, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Ferndale, MITapio Wirkkala Ovalis 3036 vase for Iittala, Finland. A little later production as it is stamped on underside.Category
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Tapio Wirkkala "Iceberg" Vase 3825By Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Toronto, OntarioThe iconic "Iceberg" vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland. This vase is an incredibly heavy still-mould blown solid crystal piece. Created by the Finnish master to resemb...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCrystal
- Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1957By Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Stockholm, SEVase designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Sweden, 1957. Sterling silver. Dimensions: H: 24 cm/ 9 3/8" W: 9 cm/ 3 1/2" D: 4 cm/ 1 1/2" Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) can be described as one of the icons of Finnish design and a symbol of the international success of post-war Finnish design. Tapio Wirkkala studied sculpture at the Helsinki Central School of Industrial Design from 1933 until 1936, but he was also a self-studied artist in many areas, including glass design. His success as a glass artist began in 1946 when he designed one of his most famous works, the Kantarelli vase, for Iittala. Wirkkala gained worldwide success in 1951 at the Milan Triennial, where he received three Grand Prix awards: for the exhibition architecture, glass design and wooden sculptures. Tapio Wirkkala felt a deep relationship with nature and his absolute favourite spot was located in Finland's deepest forests. From the beautiful landscape, Tapio Wirkkala could find inspiration for his works, often characterised by organic shapes. Leaves, birds, ice and water are recurring themes in his design. Tapio Wirkkala was also a furniture designer and a sculptor. He started his career as a sculptor in the 1930s but abandoned the traditional sculpture in the post-war years – in the early 1950s, alongside with other works, he started to develop an entirely new relationship with sculpture and a new technique to be used. The result was a series of unique plywood sculptures which combined form and movement in the vibrant, densely lineated surface of plywood. Wirkkala’s sculptures represented exceptional abstractism and gave Finnish sculpture...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsSterling Silver