Bölgeblick thumbnail 1
Bölgeblick thumbnail 2
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images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Bölgeblick

Plate
1936 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Karhula (manufacturer)
Aalto, Aino (designer)
Place of origin
Finland

Grey clear glass plate with ribbed decoration

Object details

Categories
Glass
Tableware & Cutlery
Object type
Plate
TitleBölgeblick (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
press-moulded
Glass
Brief description
Plate, grey clear glass with ribbed decoration. Finland, designed by Aino Aalto, for Karhula glassworks, 1936-1955
Physical description
Grey clear glass plate with ribbed decoration
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.2cm
  • Diameter: 14cm
Style
20th CONT
Gallery label
(2021)
Everyday glassware for the modern home

Inspired by ripples on the surface of water, Aino Aalto designed these pieces as a competition entry for affordable glassware. Her thick, stepped glass design is both durable and ingenious. Intended to be produced in volume by pressing molten glass into custom-built moulds, the concentric rings hid imperfections in the inexpensive glass used at the time. Aalto’s design dates from the 1930s but these products are still produced today by Finnish glass manufacturer Iittala.

Glass jug, plate and beaker
Bölgeblick, 1932–36 (manufactured 1932–55)
Designed by Aino Aalto
Manufactured by Karhula Glassworks for Karhula Iittala, Finland
Press-moulded glass
Given by Peter Sederholm
Museum nos. C.228 to B-1987

The object sits in the 'Automation and Labour' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.
The Bölgeblick range (the name is untranslatable) was awarded second prize in the pressed glass entries to the 1932 competition at the Karhula glassworks. It was awarded a gold medal at the Triennale, Milanm 1936
Credit line
Given by Peter Sederholm
Historical context
The complete range consisted of tumbler, pitcher, sugar bowl, creamer, with plates and bowls of various sizes, and possibly a vase. It was slightly modified for the Milan Triennale in 1936. It was in production until the mid-1950s and part of the range was re-issued in about 1986.
Bibliographic reference
Opie,J: Scandinavia; ceramics & glass in the 20thC
Collection
Ceramics Collection
Accession number
C.228A-1987

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Record createdJanuary 22, 1999
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O10092/bölgeblick-plate-aalto-aino/
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