Tapio Wirkkala Green Vase

Name: Tapio Wirkkala Green Vase
Brand: Tapio Wirkkala
Price: 1636.26 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

Tapio 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 was a genious designer and sculptor who was recognized as a leading figure in Finnish arts and crafts in the "golden era" of 1950s-1960s after the wars. Sometimes even compared to Da vinci his incredible understanding of geometry resulted in some truly amazing pieces which you can't compare to any other designer's work. Wirkkala always had a very unique and distinct approach to his designs. Wirkkala used a variety of materials in his designs including glass, wood, different metals including brass, copper, gold and silver. Wirkkala designed several vases throughout his career, and these pieces are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. His glass vases, in particular, showcase his mastery in manipulating the material to create unique shapes and textures. Some of his vase designs are characterized by intricate patterns, while others emphasize simplicity and purity of form. To appreciate and acquire Tapio Wirkkala vases, you may want to explore auctions, specialized design galleries, or vintage shops that focus on mid-century modern design. Keep in mind that his works may vary in terms of materials, shapes, and sizes, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different styles he produced over the years.

Creator:

Tapio Wirkkala (Designer)

Dimensions:

Height: 9.85 in (25 cm)Width: 1.58 in (4 cm)Depth: 4.34 in (11 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Blown Glass

Period:

1990-1999

Date of Manufacture:

1990

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

Collonge-Bellerive, CH

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU6993238048222

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Shop All Tapio Wirkkala

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.

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