Chanterelle thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Chanterelle

Vase
1946 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Iittala Glassworks (manufacturers)
Wirkkala, Tapio (designer)
Place of origin
Finland (made)

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.

Object details

Categories
ELISE
Images Online
Vases
Glass
Object type
Vase
Titles
  • Chanterelle (manufacturer's title)
  • Kantarelli (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Wheel-engraved glass
Brief description
Vase, Finland, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, for Iittala glassworks, 1946-1954, Circ.457-1954 .
Dimensions
  • Height: 19.5cm
  • Width: 21.4cm
Style
20TH CONT
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
Other number
9576 - Glass gallery number
Collection
Ceramics Collection
Accession number
CIRC.457-1954

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O6862/chanterelle-vase-wirkkala-tapio/
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