Artist
Tapio Wirkkala (1915 Hanko, Finland-1985 Helsinki, Finland) A giant of Finnish design, Wirkkala was an artist of great diversity for whom no material was alien and who left no area
of design unexplored.
A glass design competition held by the Iittala glassworks in 1946 was the event that set his career in motion; the first prize went jointly to Wirkkala and Kaj Franck. With an oeuvre that ranges from exceptionally beautiful pieces of glass art to Industrial Design in the form of beer
bottles and banknotes, Wirkkala also designed jewelry, sculptures, and furniture.
More than any finish designer from his era Wirkkala got his inspiration from the natural world. Together with his wife Rut Bryk, a famous artist / ceramist in her own right, he spent several months each year in his country house in Northern Lapland, situated directly at lake Paadar. The inspiration gained there, watching the changing seasons, Wirkkala incorporated in his many designs.
The recipient of many awards, honorary titles, and a doctorate, Wirkkala several Grand Prix and gold medals at the Triennale di Milano. In 1951 together with Hans J. Wegner he was the first recipient of the prestigious Lunning prize, often referred to as “The Nobel prize of design”.
His works are collected by many important museums in the world, among others: Museum of Modern Art, New York, Design Museum Helsinki, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Design Museum Gent and The British Museum, London.
Item Description
Two free blown crystal, line-cut art-objects, model 3132. Designed by Finnish artist Tapio Wirkkala in 1952 and executed by the Iittala Glassworks in 1954 & 1957.
These art-objects were produced by Iittala between 1952 and 1960 in three different sizes, 70, 75 and 90 mm. These two examples are a largest and a smallest size example.
As already mentioned, both of these crystal art-objects are handmade and engraved by hand. They are both signed undereath the base in diamondpen: Tapio Wirkkala - Iittala - 54 (largest size) respectively Tapio Wirkkala - Iittala - 57 (middle size).
Dimensions:
Height 9 cm
Diameter 7 cm
Weight 622 grams
Height 7 cm
Diameter 6 cm
Weight 314 grams
Literature:
Marianne Aav (ed.), Tapio Wirkkala eye, hand and thought: p. 300