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Rare Tapio Wirkkala Designed Rosenthal Glass Vase Model 470-20 CM MCM
€390€270-31%
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales
Product description
Rare Sculptural Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Model 470-20, Germany, 1970s
Manufacturer: Rosenthal
Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
Model: 470-20
Material: Glass
Color: Transparent
Production period: 1970s
Dimensions
Height: approx. 20 cm
Width: approx. 17 cm
Depth: approx. 14.5 cm
Condition
Very good to excellent vintage condition. The vase displays only minimal traces of age and careful handling, with no chips or cracks observed.
Description
An elegant and highly collectible sculptural glass vase designed by legendary Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal. This refined model exemplifies Wirkkala’s unmistakable approach to modernist form: organic yet controlled, sculptural yet restrained, balancing Nordic simplicity with exceptional material sensitivity.
Executed in translucent glass, the vase possesses a luminosity that changes subtly depending on surrounding light. Its gently undulating rim and flowing vertical contours create an impression almost reminiscent of carved ice, flower petals, or naturally eroded stone formations — recurring themes throughout Wirkkala’s celebrated body of work.
Design and Craftsmanship
The vase features a highly distinctive silhouette in which a broad, softly scalloped upper body transitions into a narrower cylindrical base. The interplay between fluid curves and disciplined geometry gives the object both visual lightness and strong architectural presence.
The glass surface enhances the sculptural quality of the form by softly absorbing and diffusing light rather than reflecting it sharply. This creates a quiet atmospheric effect typical of Scandinavian glass design at its finest.
Even when displayed without flowers, the vase functions as a standalone sculptural object, embodying the fusion of functionality and artistic abstraction that defined many of Wirkkala’s most important designs.
About Tapio Wirkkala
Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) remains one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Finnish and Scandinavian design. Working across glass, ceramics, silver, jewelry, furniture, and industrial objects, he became internationally renowned for his ability to translate natural phenomena into refined modern forms.
His work frequently drew inspiration from ice formations, flowing water, geological erosion, bark textures, and organic asymmetry. Through collaborations with prestigious manufacturers such as Rosenthal, Iittala, and Venini, Wirkkala helped define the visual language of postwar Nordic modernism.
About Rosenthal
Founded in Germany in 1879, Rosenthal became internationally celebrated for its collaborations with leading modern artists, architects, and designers. Under the Studio-Line concept, Rosenthal transformed porcelain and glass into experimental artistic media, commissioning innovative works from some of the most important creative figures of the 20th century.
The collaboration between Rosenthal and Tapio Wirkkala produced some of the company’s most elegant and sculptural modernist designs.
Collector’s Perspective
This model represents an excellent example of Wirkkala’s mature sculptural vocabulary and Rosenthal’s exceptional glass production during the 1970s. The combination of satin translucency, organic geometry, and restrained Scandinavian elegance makes the vase highly versatile within both modern and collector-oriented interiors.
A timeless modernist object — simultaneously delicate, architectural, and deeply atmospheric.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases!
International buyers: import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minimal traces of age; any significant flaws will be clearly mentioned.
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
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales