Have it delivered hassle-freeBuyer protectionAll Designer items curated by WhoppahDownload the Whoppah App – get alerts & sell with ease.
Rare Tapio Wirkkala Designed Rosenthal Glass Vase Model 470-20 CM MCM
€390€270-31%
Buy with confidence
Shop & pay safely with Buyer ProtectionDesigner items curated by WhoppahWe only pay the seller once you have safely received the itemTrusted payment methods
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales
Product description
Tapio Wirkkala Sculptural Glass Vase, Model 470-20, for Rosenthal, Germany, circa 1960s
A refined sculptural glass vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, representing the successful collaboration between one of Finland's most celebrated designers and one of Germany's leading manufacturers of modern design. Model 470-20 perfectly illustrates Wirkkala's ability to transform simple geometric forms into objects of remarkable elegance and quiet presence.
The vase is defined by its softly tapering silhouette, generous rounded body, and subtly narrowed neck. Its restrained proportions and exceptional clarity allow the quality of the glass itself to become the primary visual element. Characteristic of Wirkkala's work, the design achieves its impact through balance rather than ornament, creating an object that functions equally as a vase and as a sculptural study in form and light.
Produced in crystal-clear glass by Rosenthal, the vase reflects the technical precision for which the manufacturer became renowned during its collaborations with leading international designers. The purity of the material enhances reflections and refractions, allowing the object to change character throughout the day as natural light passes through it.
Designer: Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985)
Manufacturer: Rosenthal
Model: 470-20
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Period: Circa 1960s
Material: Glass
Colour: Clear
Style: Scandinavian Modern; Mid-Century Modern
Dimensions
Height: 20 cm
Width: 17 cm
Depth: 14.5 cm
Weight: Approx. 1 kg
Condition
Very good to excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or restorations observed. Minor traces of age consistent with careful handling.
Marks
Original Rosenthal mark to the underside.
About the Designer
Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) is regarded as one of the defining figures of twentieth-century Scandinavian design. Working across glass, furniture, industrial design, jewellery, and graphic arts, he became internationally renowned for creating timeless objects inspired by Nordic landscapes, ice formations, flowing water, and natural organic structures. His works for manufacturers including Iittala, Venini, and Rosenthal are represented in major museum collections worldwide and remain among the most sought-after examples of postwar European design.
About Rosenthal
Founded in 1879, Rosenthal became one of Europe's foremost manufacturers of porcelain and glass, distinguished by collaborations with leading international designers. During the postwar decades, the company invited influential figures such as Tapio Wirkkala, Bjørn Wiinblad, Hans Theo Baumann, and Raymond Loewy to develop collections that combined artistic innovation with exceptional production quality.
Model 470-20 exemplifies Wirkkala's philosophy that beauty emerges through proportion, material, and restraint rather than decoration. Its fluid silhouette and crystal-clear glass make it equally suitable as a functional vase or as a sculptural object within contemporary, Scandinavian, minimalist, and mid-century interiors.
A timeless example of Scandinavian modernism produced with the exceptional craftsmanship of Rosenthal, offering both collector appeal and enduring decorative value.
Style: Scandinavian Modern; Mid-Century Modern
Materials: Glass
Place of Origin: Germany
Period: Mid-20th Century
Condition: Very Good
General Information
Please explore my profile for more rare Rosenthal, collectible porcelain, and mid-century modern design.
International buyers welcome.
Import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
Please inquire for exact shipping costs outside the EU.
All items are carefully described and photographed. Vintage pieces may show minor wear; significant issues are always disclosed.
Combined shipping may be available—please inquire before purchase.
GENERAL INFO Check out my profile for many more retro vases. Questions are welcome and will be answered ASAP International buyers are welcome. Please contact me for exact delivery costs in advance if you're outside the EU I try to describe all the items as accurately and as honestly as possible, and I always include photos of the actual items. Please keep in mind that vintage or pre-owned items will often show some signs of wear due to their age, and there may be something I overlooked. There can be naturally occurring manufacturer's defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use. Any condition outside normal vintage wear, like chips or cracks or serious defaults, will be noted and/or clearly visible on the photos. For multiple purchases, please contact me before committing to buy, to make sure the items can be sent in the same parcel. Most importantly: this is a transaction between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand items, so no refunds or returns are accepted, nor any claims of guarantee or similar services, according to law.
GENERAL INFO Check out my profile for many more retro vases. Questions are welcome and will be answered ASAP International buyers are welcome. Please contact me for exact delivery costs in advance if you're outside the EU I try to describe all the items as accurately and as honestly as possible, and I always include photos of the actual items. Please keep in mind that vintage or pre-owned items will often show some signs of wear due to their age, and there may be something I overlooked. There can be naturally occurring manufacturer's defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use. Any condition outside normal vintage wear, like chips or cracks or serious defaults, will be noted and/or clearly visible on the photos. For multiple purchases, please contact me before committing to buy, to make sure the items can be sent in the same parcel. Most importantly: this is a transaction between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand items, so no refunds or returns are accepted, nor any claims of guarantee or similar services, according to law.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsTransparentMaterialGlassNumber of items1StyleVintageBrandRosenthalHeight20 cmWidth17 cmDepth14 cm
Discover more
Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales