Tapio Wirkkala - "Foal's Foot" (Varsanjalka)
Model 3215 - Iittala Finland circa 1955

Artist

Tapio Wirkkala (1915 Hanko, Finland - 1985 Helsinki, Finland) A giant of Finnish design, Tapio Wirkkala was an artist of great diversity for whom no material was alien and who left no area of design unexplored. Foal's Foot

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

Foal's Foot (Varsanjalka). A turned mold-blown crystal Art-object with vertical cut lines. This Art-object is model 3215 in the oeuvre of Tapio Wirkkala. It was designed in 1947 and handmade by the craftsmen at the Iittala glassworks in Finland circa 1955.

Like so many designes by Wirkkala, the natural world gave him the inspiration. It is litterally shaped after the foot of a Foal or "Varsanjalka" in Finnish. It was presented in the 1951 Milan Triennale and is among the celebrated early works for Iittala.

These art-objects were made between 1947 and 1959 in a three sizes. This being a medium sized example. It is signed in diamondpen underneath the base.

Price including VAT: Sold