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.
Set of 12 iittala Finland "ULTIMA THULE" Whiskey Glasses by Tapio Wirkkala NOS
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in St. Louis, MO
Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) ULTIMA THULE collection for iittala Finland c. 1968. Set of 12 new old stock 7oz bar, rocks or cocktail glasses model Ultima Thule #2032 , still in the or...
Glass
Set of 12 Timo Sarpaneva for iittala Finland "Kalinka" 10oz Rocks Bar Glasses
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in St. Louis, MO
Timo Tapani Sarpaneva (1926 – 2006) set of 12 new old stock "Kalinka" rocks / bar glasses for iittala, Finland. Designed in the 1970s, feature a distinctive, thick, indented base (or...
Glass
Set of 12 Timo Sarpaneva for iittala Finland "Kalinka" 13.5oz HighBall Glasses
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in St. Louis, MO
Timo Tapani Sarpaneva (1926 – 2006) set of 12 new old stock "Kalinka" highball / beer glasses for iittala, Finland. Designed in the 1970s, feature a distinctive, thick, indented bas...
Glass
Alvar Aalto for Iittala Finland Cobalt Blue Glass "Savoy" Wave Vase, 160mm
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in St. Louis, MO
An iconic milestone of 20th-century Scandinavian design, this Savoy organic wave vase was designed by legendary Finnish architect and pioneer Alvar Aalto in 1936 and produced in Finland by Iittala. Hand-blown in a vibrant, saturated cobalt blue glass, the free-form undulating silhouette captures Aalto's signature organic modernism—inspired by the natural contours of Finnish lakes and waves. Iittala produced this rich, saturated cobalt blue color run during the late 1980s and 1990s. That run was discontinued in the late 1990s as Iittala refreshed its color palette, making examples from this era increasingly collectible. This piece features the authentic "ALVAR AALTO" acid-etched/acid-stamped signature on the underside, alongside its original red circular Iittala "i" decal label on the upper rim. Measuring 6.25" H x 8 1/8" W x 7 5/16" D, this piece serves as both a functional floral vessel and a standalone sculpture. The vase is in excellent vintage condition. The cobalt glass remains brilliant and clear with no chips, cracks, or flea bites, exhibiting only minor, light shelf scuffs to the underside base consistent with gentle display and handling. The acid stamp on the base is crisp and clear, and the original paper Iittala label remains intact on the exterior. Designed in 1936 by visionary Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, the iconic Savoy vase was created for a competition held by the Karhula-Iittala glassworks ahead of the 1937 Paris World’s Fair. Inspired by the natural contours, fluid shorelines, and lakes of Finland—a thematic nod to Aalto’s own name, which translates to "wave" in Finnish—the design made history by breaking away from the rigid, geometric symmetry of traditional 1930s glassware...
Blown Glass
Nanny Still McKinney for Rosenthal Studio-Line -NOS- Glass Candle Holder in Box
By Nanny Still McKinney, Rosenthal
Located in St. Louis, MO
Famed designer Nanny Still McKinney (1926–2009) for Rosenthal Studio-Line single glass crystal "Arabesque" candle holder in original box, unused. Mid-Century Modern. McKinney was a ...
Crystal
Pair of Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Festivo Style Textured Glass & Chrome Table Lamps
By Carl Fagerlund, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of 1960s MCM table lamps in the style of Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Festivo with clear textured molded glass and chrome tops and bottoms. Shades not included, for reference only, th...
Metal, Chrome
‘Stellaria’ Candle Tealight Holder by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, c. 1970, this ‘Stellaria’ candle tea light holder is just perfect. The clear textured glass is lovely, and the opening is the exact size to ho...
Art Glass
‘Stellaria’ Candle Tealight Holder by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in London, GB
Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, c. 1970 ‘Stellaria’ candle tealight holder Clear textured glass Excellent condition Dimensions, approx..: Diameter 10.5cm, height 6.5cm, weight 2...
Blown Glass
Scandinavian Modern Brutalist Iittala Aslak Tea light Holder by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Chicago, IL
Tapio Wirkkala designed this ASLAK heavy glass votive or tea light candle holder which was produced by Iittala in the 1970s. The outer walls of the vessel have the thick and textured...
Art Glass
Iittala Glassware creamer Ultima Thule by Tapio Wirkkala Scandinavian Modern
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a creamer from the Ultima Thule glassware collection designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. Made in Finland. Scandinavian modern, mid-century modern design....
Art Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Scandinavian Free Form Glass Vase for IIttala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Signed 1960’s Tapio Wirkkala Scandinavian hand blown, Free-form glass vase. Dim: 6.5” Wide, 5.75” Deep, 8.75” High.
Blown Glass
Iittala Ultima Thule 56oz Serving Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tapio Wirkkala was considered the pioneer of modern Finnish industrial art. Internationally recognized for his glass designs, Wirkkala’s greatest inspiration always came from his native Finland. Wirkkala defied the rules of glassblowing with his iconic Ultima Thule...
Glass
The Finnish talent created nature-inspired pieces, from furniture to jewelry, with phenomenal staying power.
The former First Lady kept the Victorian antique, with an elegant chinoiserie design, for the rest of her life.
