Chanterelle
Vase
1946 (designed)
1946 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The 'Kantarelli' vase takes its name and shape from the chanterelle mushroom. It is one of the great pieces of Scandinavian design and won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale exhibition in 1951. This piece is one of the first of two numbered series of 50 vases made by the Finnish Iittala glassworks. The factory later made some un-numbered runs and other variations on the design.
Tapio Wirkkala, creator of the Kantarelli vase, is one of the most famous Finnish designers of the 20th century. A sculptor and woodcarver, Wirkkala's designs for glass, ceramics and metal all reflect his passion for the natural forms of the harsh landscape of his native Finland.
Tapio Wirkkala, creator of the Kantarelli vase, is one of the most famous Finnish designers of the 20th century. A sculptor and woodcarver, Wirkkala's designs for glass, ceramics and metal all reflect his passion for the natural forms of the harsh landscape of his native Finland.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Wheel-engraved glass |
| Brief description | Vase, Finland, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, for Iittala glassworks, 1946-1954, Circ.457-1954 . |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Tapio Wirkkala - Iittala 25/50' incised (Makers's mark) |
| Gallery label | Kantarelli has become a classic metaphor for Nordic design, for a time when Scandinavia itself was a by-word for good design. The design was shown at the Triennale, Milan, 1951 where it was awarded a grand prix. This example is from the first of two numbered series of 50. Later some un-numbered runs were produced and also other variations on the design. This 'Kantarelli' was purchased from the exhibition 'Modern Art in Finland' which travelled to London, Leeds, Brighton and Dublin in 1953. Tapio Wirkkala (1915-85) is the most famous of the multi-talented Finnish designers of the post-war period. Trained as a sculptor and throughout his life a wood-carver of great sensitivity, he brought those skills to his work in glass, ceramics, metal, as well as a larger-than-life personality and an unshakeable devotion to the rigours of northern Finland. |
| Summary | The 'Kantarelli' vase takes its name and shape from the chanterelle mushroom. It is one of the great pieces of Scandinavian design and won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale exhibition in 1951. This piece is one of the first of two numbered series of 50 vases made by the Finnish Iittala glassworks. The factory later made some un-numbered runs and other variations on the design. Tapio Wirkkala, creator of the Kantarelli vase, is one of the most famous Finnish designers of the 20th century. A sculptor and woodcarver, Wirkkala's designs for glass, ceramics and metal all reflect his passion for the natural forms of the harsh landscape of his native Finland. |
| Bibliographic reference | Opie,J: Scandinavia; ceramics & glass in the 20thC
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| Other number | 9576 - Glass gallery number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.457-1954 |
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| Record created | December 13, 1997 |
| Record URL |
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