Tapio Wirkkala - Sterling silver "Tulip" vase, model TW 2 - Kultakeskus Oy, Finland 1957

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. Wirkkala Tulip

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 jewellery, sculptures, and furniture.

The recipient of many awards, honorary titles, and a doctorate, Wirkkala won three Grand Prix medals at the Milan Triennale in 1954 and an additional Grand Prix medal and gold medal at the Milan Triennale in 1960.

Description

Tapio Wirkkala "Tulip", model TW 2. Handmade Sterling silver (916/1000).

Tulip shaped vase. Oval-shaped at the top, with folded edges. From where the leaves touch Accolade shapes were worked into the object, ending in a rounded base with Accolades on the four opposite sides.

Tapio Wirkkala designed this object in 1954 and they were handmade to order in three sizes: 30, 22 and 18 cm. This particular TW 2 is a beautiful early medium sized example - measuring 24.2 cm in height - and was handmade to order by the craftsmen of Kultakeskus Oy in the Finnish city of Hämeenlinna in 1957. Fully marked underneath.

Price including VAT: Sold