Tuonen Virta (Stream of Tuonela)

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On display

V&A South Kensington
Glass, Room 131

Artist/Maker	Iittala Glassworks (manufacturer) Wirkkala, Tapio (designer)
Place of origin	Finland (made)

Vase, Finland, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, for Iittala glassworks, 1951-1951, C.227-1987 .

Object details

Object type	Vase
Titles	Tuonen Virta (Stream of Tuonela) Tuonen Virta (Stream of Tuonela) (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques	wheel cut
Brief description	Vase, Finland, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, for Iittala glassworks, 1951-1951, C.227-1987 .
Dimensions	Height: 37.6cm
Style	20TH CONT
Marks and inscriptions	Incised 'TAPIO WIRKKALA IITTALA' (Makers's mark)
Gallery label	Tapio Wirkkala (1915-85) is the most famous of the multi-talented Finnish designers of the post-war period. Trained as a sculptor and through-out his life a wood-carver of great sensitivity, he brought those skills to his work in glass, ceramics and metal, as well as a larger-than-life personality and an unshakeable devotion to the rigours of northern Finland. Tuonela is the Hades of Finnish mythology. This vase is one of a series of plant-like forms arising from the 'Kantarelli' (see )shape launched in 1946. The theme derives from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic poem that was popular in the National Romantic movement at the turn of the century.
Bibliographic reference	Opie, J: 'Scandinavia: Ceramics and Glass of the 20th Century', V&A Museum (1987), cat. 200
Other number	9584 - Glass gallery number
Collection	Ceramics Collection
Accession number	C.227-1987

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Record created	December 13, 1997
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O3514/tuonen-virta-stream-of-tuonela-vase-wirkkala-tapio/

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Tuonen Virta (Stream of Tuonela)

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