Tapio Wirkkala

Tapio Wirkkala was a leading Finnish designer , b May 1915 d May 1985. Tapio trained at the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki from 1933 to 1935 and was it’s director from 1951 to 1954. His work ranges from banknotes, plastic ketchup bottles and metalware to glass, ceramics and plywood in a range of styles. The majority of his work was carried out for the Iittala and Karhula factories between 1946 and 1985, he also worked for the German Rosenthal factory between 1959 and 1985 as well as designing for Venni of Italy. During his career he won a number of international design prizes including three gold medals at the Triennale in Milan in 1951, followed by another three in 1954. His most memorable designs include the “Kantarelli” vase, “Tapio” Tableware, “Tokyo” vase and “Ultima Thule” tableware.