Tapio Wirkkala, Bronze Bird Sculpture, Kultakeskus
About the Item
- Creator:Kultakeskus Oy (Manufacturer),Tapio Wirkkala (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.58 in (4 cm)Width: 1.97 in (5 cm)Depth: 4.34 in (11 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The overall impression is good.
- Seller Location:Helsinki, FI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6346228688872
Tapio Wirkkala
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Helsinki, Finland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- A Pair of Tapio Wirkkala, Bronze Bird Sculptures, KultakeskusBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FIA couple of nice Tapio Wirkkala bronze bird paper weights. Both items are in beautiful original condition with nice vintage patinas. Although origina...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Set Of Tapio Wirkkala Bronze Bowls, Kultakeskus Oy 1970sBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FITapio Wirkkala designed a large number of items for Kultakeskus OY. Materials ranged from silver to bronze and other metals. This particular model was introduced in 1971 in a number ...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsBronze
- Tapio Wirkkala Handmade Silver Boat TW 9, Kultakeskus 1959By Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FITapio wirkkala was an exceptionally talented designer regardless of the materials used. Although he established super stardom with his art glass objects in the 1950s by winning a num...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala Set of Candle Holders In Silver, Kultakeskus OyBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FIA set of candle holders designed by Tapio Wirkkala, and manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy back in the 1980s. All pieces are authentic and come with a plethera of stamps and markings, co...Category
Vintage 1980s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala Pair of Candle Holders In Silver, Kultakeskus OyBy Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FIA pair of candle holders designed by Tapio Wirkkala, and manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy back in 1980s. Both pieces are authentic and come with a plethera of stamps and markings, conf...Category
Vintage 1980s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala Silver Dish model 143, Kultakeskus Oy, 1970sBy Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FIA beautiful decorative dish in silver, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy in the 1970s Finland. This piece is documented in Tapio Wirkkala's book and the m...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsSilver
- Bronze Bowls Model TW 446 & 448, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy, 1970sBy Kultakeskus Oy, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FIBronze bowls model TW 446 & 448 designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, 1970s. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina and wear consistent with age and use. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsBronze
- Set of Trumpet Silver Candle Holders, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FISet of trumpet candle holders, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, Mid-20th Century. Silver. Marked and signed. The set ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsSilver
- Silver Bowl Model TW58, Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy, Mid-20th CenturyBy Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Helsinki, FISilver wowl model TW58 designed by Tapio Wirkkala, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, Mid-20th Century. Silver with teak handles. Marked and signed. Good vintage condition, minor patina...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-...
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala - Art Object - Sculpture 3400 - 1950`sBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Helsinki, FITapio Wirkkala Iittala Art object - Sculptur 1952 Cast crystal glass - cut - engraved by Theodor Käppi Signed Tapio Wirkkala - Iittala 3400 According to Finnish Glass Museum only...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsCrystal
- Tapio Wirkkala Pair of 'Leaf' Dishes in Silver for Kultakeskus Oy, 1959 - 1960By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OyLocated in Brooklyn, NYAn elegant pair of leaf form dishes, models TW-5 (l.) and TW-4 (r.), designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. Both are in fine condition with all requisite hallmarks and "TW" s...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Organic Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsSilver
- Tapio Wirkkala's TW 476 Bowl in BronzeBy Tapio WirkkalaLocated in Toronto, OntarioA terrific handmade Bronze bowl for Kultakeskus Oy. These bowls are custom ordered and hand hammered to shape. An exceptional piece. Executed in 1974.Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Desk Accessories
MaterialsBronze