Designer Desire: Tapio Wirkkala

Montage of Tapio Wirkkala designs

Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) was a Finnish multidisciplinary designer; he created an abundance of objects in metal, glass, wood and ceramics. His output ranged from jewellery to furniture, barware to serveware and lighting to sculpture. His designs can even be found on the country’s money, having won the Bank of Finland’s banknote competition in 1947.

After serving in the Finnish Army during WWII, Tapio Wirkkala went to work for glassware firm, Iittala; a working relationship that would last the rest of his life. I especially like his organic, hand-blown Kantarelli (Finnish for ‘chanterelle mushroom’) vases. From the mid-1960s he designed glassware for Italian firm, Venini, based in Murano.

He created ceramics for companies including Rosenthal for whom he produced the Pollo vase and the Composition Secunda Grey, Variation and Eisblume series.

Because of his prolific output and lengthy career, his vintage designs are pretty easy to come by – albeit not always cheaply. Explore sites such as Etsy, Pamono and Vinterior.

Some of his ranges such as the Tapio drinking glasses for Iittala and Bolle bottle vases (shown at top) for Venini are still in production today.

Portrait of Tapio Wirkkalacredit

Additional image credits:
1stDibs | Bukowskis

Forthcoming Attractions: Mid March 2013

"Forthcoming Attractions" blog post banner

selection of vintage homewares including Babysham party pack in original packaging, red enamel Finel coffee pot designed by Anti Nurmesniemi, Arabia milk jug, pair of staplers, trio of milk bottles, Figgjo Flint Turi Daisy cup & saucer, set of tin drink coasters and trio of Altenkunstadt pottery vases designed by Cari Zalloni

Here’s a selection of vintage homewares that we added to the H is for Home webshop this weekend.

vintage Arabia milk jug and Figgjo Flint Turi Daisy cup & saucer

Some lovely Scandinavian pieces for kitchen/dining including the cow milk jug produced by Arabia and the Daisy cup & saucer by Figgjo Flint.

vintage red enamel Finel coffee pot designed by Anti Nurmesniemi

Also, this red enamel coffee pot designed by Anti Nurmesniemi for Finel – such a classic piece of Scandinavian mid century modern!

trio of vintage blue circle Altenkunstadt vases

Moving a short distance across Europe to Germany – this trio of vases were designed by Cari Zalloni for Altenkunstadt Pottery. They’re from his ‘Cirkel’ range and the Op Art pattern is really striking. We’ve listed them separately, but they do look great grouped together. If you’d like to re-home them as a family, then we can do a special price on the three together!

vintage Babysham party pack in original packaging

These Babycham glasses were a good find. You quite often come across them looking a bit tired (well, they have been partying!). The logos & gold rims are often well rubbed, but these are absolutely mint in their original display box.

three vintage milk bottles advertising Brooke Bond Tea, Ready Brek and Kellogg's Corn Flakes

A bit more advertising ware. These milk bottles were popular in the 1970s & 80s – much more exciting that a drab Tetrapak carton! You could decant your milk into them to brighten up your morning cereal – or they’re perfect for cut flowers too.

pair of vintage staplers

We’ve been picking up a lot of industrial vintage items recently. These staplers fit in very well with that theme adding a vintage touch to a desk or shelf whilst remaining completely functional.