Finnish Centerpieces

Modern sculptural tray designed by Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985). Fabulous and very rare modernist tray dish, designed by the silversmith artist Tapio Wirkkala, back in the 1955. The sculptural tray has been crafted by Kultakeskus Oy in the city of Oulu, Finland in the shape of a boat in solid .916/.999 sterling silver with high polished finish. The incredible design is dated 1962 and is made up with a navette shaped piece, with several embossed levels in low and high elliptical with an elliptical hammered recess and an elliptical convex base, which create a fabulous optical effect. This tray is beautiful and elegant piece by one of the great 20th century designers is in lovely condition. It is a piece of sculptural art and will display with great eye appeal. Note: This is the model TW-114. Weight: 186.2 Grams, (119.40 Dwt). Measurements: 95 mm by 301 mm by 26 mm (3.75 x 11.85 x 1.04 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped and engraved with the Finnish crown mark; the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the .916 silver, the code for the date of production of 1962, the mark for the town of Oulu and signed in full, "TAPIO WIRKKALA 916H 1-7". Tapio Wirkkala Wirkkala was born in Hanko in 1915. He attended the Töölö co-educational school in Helsinki. His father, Ilmari Wirkkala, was a cemetery architect, and mother Selma (née Vanhatalo) a wood-carver. His sister Helena Korvenkontio and brother Tauno Wirkkala were also artists. Wirkkala's work ranges from designs of plastic ketchup bottles and metalwork to glass, ceramics and plywood in a range of styles. His success as a glass designer began in 1946 when he designed the Kantarelli vase for Iittala, and the mass-produced Tapio collection was launched in 1954. His range was immense, including glassware, stoneware, jewellery, and furniture for mass production, as well as individual sculptures in several media. He designed commemorative postage stamps for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, and also designed the Finnish markka banknotes introduced in 1955. In the early 1950s, Wirkkala worked as the artistic director at the Helsinki Central School of Industrial Design. The WIR lightbulb designed by Wirkkala for Airam Electric was awarded the Grand Prix at the XII Milan Triennial in 1960. Among his most famous work have been the designs for the Finlandia vodka bottle (1970–1999) and for Iittala's Ultima Thule set of kitchen glasses. Both glassware items feature a dripping icicle look, and in the case of the Iittala's glassware it is said to have taken thousands of hours to develop a glassblowing technique that would produce the effect. Wirkkala did much of his initial design work using a traditional Finnish carving knife, the puukko. Wirkkala designed his own version of the knife, the Tapio Wirkkala Puukko...

Iconic Finnish design by Tapio Wirkkala in 1951. Hand laminated teak and birch. This design won the the Gold Medal at the IX Milan Triennale, and was quoted as being" The most beaut...

A large smoked glass decorative center piece bowl designed by Carina Seth Andersson for Iittala made in Finland . A light and airy feel just the right piece for your table with that ...

Beautiful vintage ceramic platter in a large modernist design by Hilkka-Liisa Ahola (1920-2009) for Arabia. The motif is floral with an array o...

The Savoy vase was originally created in the 1930s by Alvar Aalto and his first wife Aino Aalto in Finland for an art glass competition. This blown glass pa...

Large aqua colored "Sunflower" dish from Humppila glass. Humppila glass was founded in Finland in 1952, and the Sunflower dish was designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1960s.

Tapio Wirkkala Compote and candle stick center piece set with dessert serving bowl and individual bowls. Glass is decorated in a raised random raindrop finish perfect for you holiday...

Rare Vase No. 3441 Centrifugal Cast Glass. Signed, TAPIO WIRKKALA

For Iittala, monumental Inari centerpiece bowl from the Iceberg series by Tapio Wirkkala, incised signature and number on underside. Excellent condition.

Tapio Wirkkala Model nr. 3337 Art glass object (glass leaf) Iittala Finland; 1957 Mould-blown and line-cut glass ca. 24.2 cm x 20.2 cm x 6.6 cm Literature: Tapio Wirkkala:...

Fabulous 1950s Ceramic Finnish Fish Coupe or Wall Plate signed A.B., made in Finland. Great Color, Scale and Deco Fish Design.

Two vases and ceramic bowl by Tapio Wirkkala. Black on black manganese glaze. Produced by Rosenthal. 2 sorting. H. vase 9.8" and 5.3". Bowl H. 3.9 Ø 6.6 cm.