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Set of 8 Tapio Wirkkala Ultima Thule Iittala 1960s Dessert Bowls in Clear Glass

About the Item

Vintage set of eight Tapio Wirkkala Ultima Thule Iittala dessert bowls in crystal clear glass. From the FinnStyle website, "In modern literature, Ultima Thule is used to reference the furthest possible place in the world. Tapio Wirkkala’s Ultima Thule glassware similarly references the icy cold reaches of Scandinaiva and the distinct expressive power of Finnish glass. Designed in 1968, Wirkkala’s Ultima Thule contributed to iittala’s national breakthrough and remains a distinctive iittala design... dessert bowls (are) perfect for presenting nuts, candies, fruit and more. The Ultima Thule footed dessert bowls have textured sides that reference the northern icy terrain of Scandinavia. The unique texture of the glass is created by a time-laboring technique that is created by the molten glass burning the surface of the wooden moulds." Here's a little bit about Iittala from the same website, "You’d be hard-pressed to find a Finn or fan of Finnish design that doesn’t recognize the iittala logo, designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1956 and inspired by his “i-line” range. The logo serves as a symbol of quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and thoughtful functionality. Many collectors of iittala will leave the logo sticker on their iittala designs as a badge of authenticity." And here's a little bit about designer Tapio Wirkkala also from the same website, "From graphic art to banknotes, Finnish-born Tapio Wirkkala's portfolio is a quite arguably one of the most versatile. Still, he is most widely known for his wonderful work with glass. Texture plays a big role in Wirkkala's creative portfolio. His 1952 "Tapio" glassware experiments with air bubbles, while the 1968 "Ultima Thule" glassware mimics the melting ice of Scandinavia. Even in ceramic, he was able to flawlessly capture the crumpling of a paper bag with his "Bag Vase." Wirkkala has participated in many international exhibitions and won many awards, including six gold medals at the Triennale in Milan. Wirkkala also served as the artistic direction at the the University of Arts and Design in Helsinki for many years.".

Creator:
Tapio Wirkkala (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 2 in (5.08 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 8
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Glass
Place of Origin:
Finland
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1960s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. In good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.
Seller Location:
Atlanta, GA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7240230025922
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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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