 |
| Left: Tapio Wirkkala in his later years, Right: One of his organically formed vases, The Kanttarelli vase for Iittala |
 |
A collection of his glass silhouettes including the Ultima Thule bowls, pitcher and glasses
in their distinctive icicle shapes |
 |
Left: Tapio in his studio in the 1950's, Right: Dish with compartments, Hopeakeskus
Pictures courtesy of www.wirkkala.com |
 |
| Some of Tapio's furniture designs including a X Frame dining table, 1958, coffee tables and drinks cart |
 |
| Laminated birch wood forms, Left: Platter, designed in 1951, Right: Bowl designed in 1954 |
 |
Left: Pollo vases, designed for Rosenthal, 1970, Right: Venini Murano Coreani bowl, 1960's
Pictures courtesy of www.wirkkala.com |
 |
Left: Variatsion Coffee Set for Rosenthal, Right: Paperbag vase for Rosenthal, 1977
Pictures courtesy of www.wirkkala.com |
 |
| Some of Tapio's glass vases from the 1950's-1980's |
 |
| White ceramic vases produced for Rosenthal |
 |
| Other glass forms, Left to Right: Olive green vase for Iittala, Bolle bottles for Venini and vase for Iittala |
Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) might
be a difficult name for some to remember, but if familiar with his work it soon
becomes unforgettable! Many of us grew up with his designs without probably
even knowing. I know as I started to collect his work as an adult, I remembered
some of the glass pieces he produced for well-known Finnish company Iittala that
my parents had, (probably long given away to charity along with many other mid
century classics)
I always knew Tapio as a
glassware designer mainly, but I have come to learn he also fashioned many
pieces from wood and also used this material to produce furniture and even the
designed the Finnish bank notes, introduced in 1955. His
range was immense and in Finland he is probably known as their most famous, versatile
and influential designer evoking a national identity in his work by drawing on
the materials and processes of Finnish handicraft and naturalistic forms
Among his most famous works has been the design
for the Finlandia
vodka bottle (1970-2000) and for Iittala's Ultima Thule set
of kitchen glasses. Both glassware items feature a dripping icicle look, and in the
case of Iittala's popular glassware set it took thousands of hours to develop a
glassblowing technique that would produce the effect. He also produced his glass bird series that have become extremely collectable.
I am lucky enough to own a number of his
ceramics he designed for German company Rosenthal.
An amazing designer, I love the delicacy and
texture of his work, To me there is a thread and distinct approach that is only
his, To be such a successful commercial designer and to have produce such
distinctive products with such personality is to be admired, I hope to collect
many more of his pieces in the future.
more ceramics Wirkkala designed for German company Rosenthal. -> www.brummerhome.com + facebook (Brummer & Brummer oy)
ReplyDelete