Silver Pitcher, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy, 1970s
View Similar Items
Silver Pitcher, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Kultakeskus Oy (Manufacturer),Tapio Wirkkala (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.85 in (25 cm)Diameter: 4.93 in (12.5 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Silver,Forged
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good vintage condition, minor patina and wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Helsinki, FI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7495237301242
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.
- Bronze Bowls Model TW 446 & 448, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy, 1970sBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FIBronze bowls model TW 446 & 448 designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, 1970s. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina and wear consistent with age and use. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsBronze
- Set of Trumpet Silver Candle Holders, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FISet of trumpet candle holders, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, Mid-20th Century. Silver. Marked and signed. The set ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsSilver
- Silver Bowl Model TW58, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy, Mid-20th CenturyBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FISilver wowl model TW58 designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, Mid-20th Century. Silver with teak handles. Marked and signed. Good vintage condition, minor patina...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-...
MaterialsSilver
- Pendant by Tapio Wirkkala for Idman Oy, 1960sBy Tapio Wirkkala, Idman OyLocated in Helsinki, FIPendant by Tapio Wirkkala for Idmann Oy, 1960s. Classic Wirkkala glass bulbs, painted metal and brass. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use. Tapio Veli ...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Bottle Set Models 2507 & 2508, Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala, Mid-20th CenturyBy Tapio Wirkkala, IittalaLocated in Helsinki, FIBottle Set models 2507 & 2508 designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Iittala, Mid-20th Century. The set includes 8 bottles. Marked and signed. Good vintage condition, minor pati...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Bottles
MaterialsGlass
- Set of Four Stackable Model Nikke Chairs by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko, 1950sBy Tapio Wirkkala, AskoLocated in Helsinki, FISet of four stackable model Nikke chairs by Tapio Wirkkala for Asko from the 1950s. Teak with metal frame. Good vintage condition, minor wear consistent w...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Tapio Wirkkala Handmade Silver Boat TW 9, Kultakeskus 1959By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FITapio wirkkala was an exceptionally talented designer regardless of the materials used. Although he established super stardom with his art glass objects in the 1950s by winning a num...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala Silver Punch SetBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Toronto, OntarioA beautiful solid silver Pitcher and cups by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus, Oy. Created by a single craftsperson from start to finish.Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Pitchers
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala Pair of 'Leaf' Dishes in Silver for Kultakeskus Oy, 1959 - 1960By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Brooklyn, NYAn elegant pair of leaf form dishes, models TW-5 (l.) and TW-4 (r.), designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. Both are in fine condition with all requisite hallmarks and "TW" s...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Organic Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala, Set of Silver Pitchers and Cups, 18 Pieces, Finland 1970sBy Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Houston, TXTapio Wirkkala. Set of silver pitchers and cups, 18 pieces. Kultakeskus Oy, Hämeenlinna, Finland. Marked with makers mark, Finnish assay mark, 925H, Hämeenlinna town mark, ye...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Tapio Wirkkala Handmade Silver BowlBy Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FITapio wirkkala was an exceptionally talented designer regardless of the materials used. Although he established super stardom with his art glass objects in the 1950s by winning a num...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver
- 1970s Henrik Fogh Danmark Silver Mini Pitcher DenmarkLocated in Chula Vista, CASilversmith HF Henrik Fogh of Danmark Silver Mini Pitcher after Danish designer Kay Otto Fisker. Signed stamped. 5.63 H x 3 D x 2 in diameter Original ...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Pitchers
MaterialsSilver, Silver Plate