Early Tapio Wirkkala "Puolikuu" Sterling Silver Necklace, 1972
View Similar Items
Early Tapio Wirkkala "Puolikuu" Sterling Silver Necklace, 1972
About the Item
- Creator:Tapio Wirkkala (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Width: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Depth: 0.07 in (1.78 mm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1972
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU85066585233
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, 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
- Hand-hammered Sterling Sculptural Necklace or Choker by Jan Arenhill, 1969By Jan ArenhillLocated in Houston, TXUnique sterling silver necklace by Jan Arenhill, Malmö. Malmö, Sweden, circa 1969, hand-hammered sterling silver. Impressed with following hallmarks: Year mark T9 1969. Artist's ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Tapio Wirkkala Coffee Tea Service for HopeakeskusBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Houston, TXTapio Wirkkala. Coffee service TW 182-184, Finland, 1958, Hopeakeskus, copper, teak and inside silver plate. Measures: 5 D x 20.5 H in. 12.7 D x 52.07 H cm. Coffee pot, ...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tea Sets
MaterialsCopper, Silver Plate
- Early Marta Maas-Fjetterström Pile Carpet "Blå Rektangeln" MMF 1927By Märta Måås-FjetterströmLocated in Houston, TXMarta Maas-Fjetterström. "Blå Rektangeln (Blue Rectangular)" pile carpet, Sweden, 1928. Handwoven wool. Measures: Length circa 335 cm, width circa 205 cm. Mar...Category
Vintage 1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
MaterialsWool
- Early version Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair and Ottoman for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Houston, TXArne Jacobsen Chair and ottoman Fritz Hansen Denmark, 1958 Leather, cast aluminum, plastic 34 d x 32 d x 42 h inches Foil label to base.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Christopher Dresser Silver Plate Cruet Holder by Hukin & HeathBy Christopher Dresser, Hukin & HeathLocated in Houston, TXChristopher dresser. Silver plate cruet holder. Hukin & Heath, United Kingdom, circa 1878. Silver plate. Dimension: 5 W x 3.25 D x 8.5 H inches. ...Category
Antique 19th Century British Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Tapio Wirkkala Kinetic Silver Moon Hopeakuu Pendant, 1974By Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Brooklyn, NYHopeakuu (Finnish: silver moon) sterling pendant designed by Tapio Wirkkala, comprising nine concentric rings that move independently around a small orb at ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Tapio Wirkkala Hopeakuu Sterling PendantBy Nilo Westerback, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Brooklyn, NY“Silver Moon” (Hopeakuu) sterling silver pendant comprising nine kinetic concentric rings of differing widths secured through a vertical rod, designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1970 and p...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala Hopeakuu Sterling Silver Modernist Moon PendantBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Atlanta, GAModernist Hopeakuu (Silver Moon) Sterling Silver Pendant, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for N. Westerback Jewelers, Finland, circa 1970s. Measurements: 3.5" H x 2.5" W x .125" D. It has...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Early 20th Century Italian Sterling Silver ChaliceLocated in Casale Monferrato, ITItalian sterling silver Chalice finely embossed and chiselled 800 punch at the base. cup in golden bath. Excellent condition with its original packaging.Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver
- Sterling Silver Necklace with Large Pendant Graziella LaffiBy Graziella LaffiLocated in Atlanta, GAA stunning choker style necklace in sterling silver by Graziella Laffi (1926-2009) Lima, Peru, circa 1960s. The bold necklace showcases an oversized plate...Category
Vintage 1960s Peruvian Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Modern Sculptural Sterling Silver Necklace Graziella LaffiBy Graziella LaffiLocated in Atlanta, GAA highly sculptural sterling silver necklace by Peruvian silversmith and designer Grazielle Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, circa 1970. Marks to ne...Category
Vintage 1970s Peruvian Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver