Along with architect Alvar Aalto, the designer Tapio Wirkkala was Finland’s leading contributor to the Scandinavian interpretation of modernism in the mid-20th century. Prolific and innovative, Wirkkala excelled in a wide range of fields, including glass, furniture, porcelain, jewelry and tableware. The hallmark of his talent was an ability to impart a craft aesthetic based on natural forms — leaves, ice, bubbles, birds — to industrially produced designs.
A native of Helsinki, Wirkkala studied at the national School of Applied Arts and took up a career in graphic design. After serving in the Finnish army during World War II, he joined the glassmaking firm Iittala, an association that would continue to the end of his life. Wirkkala learned every aspect of glassmaking in keeping with his belief that an artist-designer should be involved in all stages of production. His best-known works for Iittala are vases and drinking vessels that resemble either carved ice or icicles. In 1956, Wirkkala began a long relationship with the porcelain maker Rosenthal, for whom he designed elegant table pieces, such as the Finlandia coffee service and the biomorphic Pollo vases.
House Beautiful magazine declared Wirkkala’s Leaf platter the “most beautiful object” of 1951. (The acclaim led to his brief employment stint with industrial designer Raymond Loewy in New York.) That platter was one of the first designs Wirkkala made using laminated sheets of plywood sanded to a smooth surface that resembles an abstract leaf. It would go on to become a motif in many Wirkkala furniture pieces — most notably in inlaid coffee tables for Asko — and in a sense these are the works most emblematic of his personal aesthetic.
Wirkkala was a traditionalist in many ways, but he had a modernist’s practical approach, incorporating his leaf-like spirals into simple, functional objects. That is the core attraction of Wirkkala’s designs: They stand out with a striking, sculptural energy yet blend in as part of a warm and comfortable decor.
Find vintage Tapio Wirkkala furniture on 1stDibs.
A Beautiful Tapio Wirkkala Rhythmic Veneer Decorative Leaf Dish Soini 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
In most if not in all of his designs, Tapio Wirkkala took his inspiration from the surrounding nature. This is one example with a beautiful figurative sculptural "leaf". The way it's...
Birch
XL Paper Bag Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1977
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal 3
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Paper or plastic or…Wirkkala’s fun and whimsical 1977 Pop Art take on tromp l’oeil, something that is not what it appears to be. Here, a used paper bag ...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Paper bag vase by Tapio Wirkkala , 1970’s
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 10,5 cm H, 6,5cm W, 6cm D Condition: Mint Material: Porcelain
Porcelain
$441 / set
H 7.88 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
Set of Two Vintage "Paper Bag" Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal - 1970's
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Set of Two Vintage Beige/Brown "Paper Bag" Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal pair of vintage "Paper Bag" vases designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal. These exceptional pieces...
Porcelain
$298
H 4.14 in W 3.35 in D 2.17 in
Mid-Century Tapio Wirkkala “Paper Bag" Vase For Rosenthal, Germany c.1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in London, GB
For sale is an iconic Mid-Century porcelain “Paper Bag" Vase designed by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala, circa 1977, for Rosenthal’s Studio Line "DO NOT LITTER" range. This example...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$453
H 8.67 in W 3.63 in D 3.55 in
Rare Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal Studio Line White Op Art Porcelain Vase
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This elegant white porcelain vase was designed by the renowned Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Line, Germany. Characteristic of Wirkkala’s refined and sculptural...
Porcelain
Pollo Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Line
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Porcelin Pollo Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Line.
Porcelain
Vintage Venini Egg Designed by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage transparent glass egg with a gold leaf yoke. Tapio Wirkkala was well know by Venini since the 1950s due to Wirkkala's inclusion in the Venice Biennale's, Wirkkala joined Venini in 1964, the egg was designed in 1968 and manufactured until sometime after this date. The egg was illustrated in the 1969 Venini catalog, page 16...
Gold Leaf
$575
H 5.91 in W 4.06 in D 2.56 in
Original 1977 Tapio Wirkkala "Paper Bag" Ceramic Vase for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Malmö, SE
Original Tapio Wirkkala "Paper Bag" porcelain Vase for Rosenthal. Early and rare production, made between 1979 and 1980. Excellent condition. Marked 'Rosenthal' 'Studio Linie' and ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Large Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1950s
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1950s A rare art glass bowl, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in the 1950s. Mold-blown, crystal-clear gla...
Art Glass
Large Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1950s
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1950s A rare art glass bowl, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in the 1950s. Mold-blown, crystal-clear gla...
Art Glass
Tapio Wirkkala / VASE / Iittala
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
This piece is made using a special glass developed by Iittala called “Q Colour,” which features a pastel-toned, semi-transparent blue glass that emits a unique glow when light passes...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$1,027
H 3.15 in W 8.27 in D 1.97 in
Black Loon Porcelain Figure by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Stockholm, SE
Black Loon Porcelain Figure by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970s. Wirkkala, the Finnish designer and artist, created an iconic figure of a loon for the German porcelain company Ros...
Porcelain
$556Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 8 in D 8 in
1960s XL Tapio Wirkkala Vase Rosenthal Cogwheel Flower Centerpiece Alvar Aalto
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very rave in this massive size, but is chipped on top rim.
Art Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish 1970s Snipe Sculpture
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Skanninge, SE
A modernist aluminium bird sculpture by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland. Depicting a Snipe (Suokurppa). Stamped as it should: "Made in Finland K...
Aluminum
Tapio Wirkkala Rhythmic Veneer Leaf Dish
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
Once again Tapio Wirkkala took his inspiration from the surrounding nature and made this beautiful figurative sculpture "leaf". The way it's refined so that it showcases the layers i...
Birch
Sold
H 6.3 in W 3.15 in D 3.94 in
Ceramic Paper Bag Vase Designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Germany, 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Barcelona, ES
Tapio Wirkkalas playful ceramic paper bag vase in Kraft brown color. Original 1970s edition.
Ceramic
Sold
H 6 in W 4 in D 3 in
Blue Paper Bag Porcelain Vase by Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal Studio Line Germany
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rosenthal glazed porcelain crushed paper bag vase sculpture This iconic Rosenthal hallmarked Blue porcelain crushed and crinkled paper bag sculpture and or vase or art object is signed on the bottom. Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Line Germany...
Porcelain
Sold
H 6 in W 4 in D 3 in
Brown Paper Bag Porcelain Vase by Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal Studio Line Germany
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rosenthal glazed white porcelain crushed paper bag vase sculpture This iconic Rosenthal hallmarked brown porcelain crushed and crinkled paper bag sculpture and or vase or art object is signed on the bottom. Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Line Germany...
Porcelain