Tapio Wirkkala, Rhythmic Plywood, Wall Panel, 1958
View Similar Items
Tapio Wirkkala, Rhythmic Plywood, Wall Panel, 1958
About the Item
- Creator:Asko (Manufacturer),Tapio Wirkkala (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 50.4 in (128 cm)Depth: 0.6 in (1.5 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Birch,Laminated
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1958
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Berlin, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU148824765013
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, Vase in Silver & Teak, Model Lekkie, Finland 1960s.By Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Berlin, DETapio Wirkkala, 925 silver & teak vase, model TW 228. Excellent condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsSterling Silver
$1,032 Sale Price35% Off - Beck & Jung, Multiple, Signed Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg, 1969By Beck & JungLocated in Berlin, DEAn original multiple by Swedish Designers Beck & Jung (Holger Bäckström & Bo Ljungberg). Colored cardboard, yellow wooden frame. Signed Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg 1969.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Contemporary Art
MaterialsPaper
- Pol Chambost, Large 'Coquillages' Faïence Plates 1950, FranceBy Pol ChambostLocated in Berlin, DEPol Chambost, a pair of large seashell faïence plates , circa 1950, France. Mother-of-pearl white enamel, violet, black and greens. signed. Measure: 44.5 cm, 45 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsFaience
- Birgitta Waldonen, a Pair of Side Tables in Teak, Finland, 1966By Birgitta Waldonen, AskoLocated in Berlin, DEA pair of teak side tables, model "Salvador" designed by Birgitta Waldonen for Asko, Finland, 1966. Excellent condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTeak
Sold$2,136 / set - Lisa Johansson-Pape, Telescope Wall-Light in Perforated Brass, Finland, 1950sBy Lisa Johansson-Pape, Orno StockmannLocated in Berlin, DEA large telescope pendant wall-light in perforated brass, designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape. The telescope arm is adjustable from 75 cm - 125 cm length...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Paavo Tynell, Wall Light, Model 7174 for Taito, Finland, 1950sBy Taito, Paavo TynellLocated in Berlin, DERare adjustable wall light by Paavo Tynell, model 7174. Manufactured by Taito in Finland, 1950s. Brass, new rewired. Great vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Wall Panel Designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland, 1950sBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Stockholm, SEVeneer wood relief. Tapio Wirkkala originally designed these panels as tabletops for the company Asko. He created several different marquetry patterns; some panels had a dark base a...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Contemporary Art
MaterialsWood
- Framed plywood wall decoration 1970s craftmanshipLocated in Frederiksberg C, DKFramed plywood wall decoration 1970s craftmanship. Framed plywood wall decoration 1970s craftmanship. Handmade piece of plywood from an old Danish mill K.Ø...Category
Late 20th Century Danish Organic Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsPlywood
- Swedish Modern Tilgmans Ceramic Wall Platter with Birds 1958By Tilgmans KeramikLocated in Frederiksberg C, DKSwedish Modern Tilgmans Ceramic Wall Platter with Swans, 1958 Stunning handmade ceramic piece by Swedish Tilgmans Keramik. Fully glazed hanging wall decoration depicting two elegant...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware
- Intertwined Driftwood Wall PanelLocated in Dallas, TXDramatic and textured, these large driftwood panels are made from the organic shapes of twisted driftwood. Wiring at back make it easy to mount on the wall for a one-of-a-kind contem...Category
Vintage 1970s European Organic Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsDriftwood
- Royal Copenhagen Fajance Wall Panel by Ellen MalmerBy Royal Copenhagen, Ellen MalmerLocated in Utrecht, NLUnique abstract flower motif (tulips) Fajance ceramic wall panel of intens blue colours by Danish designer Ellen Malmer (artist signed) made at Royal Copenhagen Denmark 1960's. Execu...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsAluminum
- Contemporary Wall Panel by FAINABy Victoria YakushaLocated in Geneve, CHContemporary wall panel by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: Metalmesh, Wood Dimensions: Diameter 100 x 4 cm In search of new-old design messages, Victoria Yakusha cond...Category
2010s Ukrainian Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsMetal