Celebrated glassmaker Timo Sarpaneva was a pioneer of Finnish postwar design. He led the formation of the utilitarian and artistic side of mid-century modern style. Sarpaneva’s glass vases, serveware and table lamps have a sculptural yet functional quality, making them adaptable for both decorative and utilitarian use.
Sarpaneva was born in 1926 in Helsinki and spent his childhood visiting his grandparents in the countryside. There, he was influenced by a barter economy where everything was made by hand and traded for services and wares.
In 1948, Sarpaneva graduated from the Institute for Industrial Arts in Helsinki (now the University of Art and Design Helsinki). He participated in the 1951 Triennale di Milano, submitting an embroidered coffee cozy that confused but delighted the judges and garnered a silver medal.
Around this time, Sarpaneva began experimenting with glassblowing. He transformed the traditional wet-stick method by creating a bubble within the molten glass, allowing him to work from the inside out. In 1954, he returned to the Triennale di Milano and won his first Grand Prize.
In the 1950s, Sarpaneva was hired at the glassware company Iittala, where he became a leading glass designer. Sarpaneva even designed the company logo, which is still used today. He worked for the company for over four decades until his death in 2006 at 79.
Sarpaneva’s illustrious career earned international recognition. His honors included being named Honorary Royal Designer for Industry by the Royal Society of Arts in London in 1963. He received honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Art in London in 1967 and the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1993.
In 2018, the Helsinki Design Museum exhibited a retrospective of “the golden boy of Finland’s Golden Age of design”.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Timo Sarpaneva decorative objects, serveware, lighting and more.
$350 / set
H 4.88 in Dm 2.88 in
Six Festivo Two Ring Candlesticks Designed By Timo Sarpaneva For iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Doraville, GA
Six two ring Festivo candlesticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for IITTALA, made in Finland. The candlesticks were designed in 1966 and are still produced today. The candlesticks are ...
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala Finland Four Candlesticks
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Rijssen, NL
Textured clear molded glass. Composed as a column with projecting bands, a flared mouth and a round base. Designed by Sarpaneva for Liitala, Finland. The tallest, four-ring candle...
Glass
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala A vintage set of eight Festivo candle sticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in 1966. A total of 8 different heigh...
Art Glass
$895 / set
H 12.25 in Dm 3.5 in
Set 4 Timo Sarpaneva Festivo Candlesticks Iittala Finland Scandinavian Modern
By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 Scandinavian Modern Finland Iittala Art Glass with bubbles Festivo Candle Holders designed by Timo Sarpaneva, made in the late 1970s. Top Ca...
Art Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Signed Iittala Festivo Art Glass Candle Holders
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of icy crystal candlesticks with 6 defining rings and signed TS on verso. Designed for taper candles and made in Finland. Dimensions: 9 1/2" H x 3 1/2" W Condition: good. no c...
Art Glass
$895 / set
H 7.29 in Dm 3.43 in
Set of 6 Glass 'Festivo' Candlesticks by Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala, Finland, 1960s
By Timo Sarpaneva, Kaj Franck, Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of 6 'Festivo' glass candle holders. Designed by Timo Sarpaneva 1967 and made by Iittala in Finland, 1970s. Great condition. Signed 'TS' underneath. Height: 8,3 - 18,5 cm D...
Glass
Vintage Set of 12 Finnish Candle Holders by Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern set of Twelve Finnish Ljusstakar, candle holders made of hand blown molded glass, designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Festivo - Iittala, in good condition. Th...
Glass
$2,793 / set
H 12.21 in Dm 3.35 in
Set of 15 Festivo glass candleholders by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Klintehamn, SE
Festivo is a series of glass candlesticks from Iittala, designed by Timo Sarpaneva back in 1966. A total of 8 different heights were made that can be combined according to taste. Thi...
Glass
$3,352 / set
H 12.21 in Dm 3.15 in
Set of Fifteen Festivo Glass Candle Holders by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, 1960s
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Helsinki, FI
A substantial and visually striking set of fifteen Festivo candleholders by Finnish designer Timo Sarpaneva. The group includes various heights ranging from 8 to 31 cm, creating a sc...
Blown Glass
$350 / set
H 3 in Dm 3 in
Pair "Festivo" Iittala Finnish One-Ring Candlesticks Designed by Timo Sarpaneva
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair "Festivo" Iittala candlesticks. Textured clear molded glass composed as a column with a singular projecting band, a flared mouth and a round base. Designed by Timo Sarpaneva for...
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva Triangular 'Archipelago' Candleholder for Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage Scandinavian art glass triangular "Archipelago' candleholder by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala. Designer: Timo Sarpaneva Manufacture...
Art Glass
Large Footed Glass "Kekkeri" Bowl by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage textured glass Kekkeri bowl by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala. Manufacturer: Iittala Designer: Timo Sarpaneva Origin: Finland Y...
Glass
Small Swedish Crystal Vase by Strombergshyttan
By Strombergshyttan, Asta Stromberg
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage handcrafted oval shaped aqua blue crystal vase by Strombergshyttan. Signed on bottom. Artist: Asta Stromberg Manufacturer: Strombergshyttan Origin: Sweden Year: ...
Crystal
Kjell Engman Clear Glass Candleholder for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Kjell Engman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage clear glass pillar shaped candleholder designed by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda. Fits both tapered candles and tea candles. Designer: Kjell Engman Manufacturer: Kosta B...
Glass
Kosta Boda "Skyline" Candleholders by Anna Ehrner, a Pair
By Kosta Boda, Anna Ehrner
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage pair of triangular "Skyline" clear glass candleholders designed by Anna Ehrner in 1989. Fits tea candle diameter candles. Kosta Boda labels attached to both candleholders. ...
Crystal
Iittala Ultima Thule 56oz Serving Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tapio Wirkkala was considered the pioneer of modern Finnish industrial art. Internationally recognized for his glass designs, Wirkkala’s greatest inspiration always came from his native Finland. Wirkkala defied the rules of glassblowing with his iconic Ultima Thule...
Glass
