| Marked | Kultakeskus Oy |
|---|---|
| Execution | Kultakeskus in collaboration with Iittala – circa 1975 |
| Condition | This Birdsculpture, TW 513 is in very good vintage condition. No malformations, some very minor scratches and stains. All consistent with age and use. There are no cracks or chips on the base, some scratches underneath the base. |
| Literature | Marianne Aav, TAPIO WIRKKALA eye, hand and thought: p. 10, p. 17, p. 86, p.244, p. 245, p. 290, p. 369. |
| Dimensions | Model TW 513 |
Tapio Wirkkala – A bronze sculpture of a bird “Suokurppa” on a glass stand, model TW513 – Kultakeskus / Iittala, Finland ca. 1975
SOLD
A sculpture of a bird, most resembling a snipe. The Finnish name for the sculpure is “Suokurppa”, which translates into Bog or Marsh Snipe.
Tapio Wirkkala sculpted these birdsculptures in 1975 and they are modelnumber TW513 in his oeuvre. The Finnish metalmaking firm, Kultakeskus made these sculptures by hand and only by order. They could be ordered in silver, bronze or aluminium on either a glass or wooden base.
This particular sculpture was made of bronze than patinated and is mounted on a glass mount. The sculpture is marked underneath the tail: Kultakeskus Oy – Design: Tapio Wirkkala – Made in Finland.
The glass base is not marked but due to Wirkkala’s long standing association with iittala glassworks it’s save to say these bases were most likely made there.
As these sculptures were never made in serial production they are rare and sought after. They have been included in many important museal and private collections.
About Tapio Wirkkala
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. Neosin Neosin
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.
