"TUPA" PLATE S 5230/2430

The TUPA series was the only product Kaj Franck designed while working at IITTALA for four years from 1946, following his awards (2nd and 3rd place) in the KARHULA-IITTALA design competition held in 1946. It was also the first glass product he designed in his career. It was unveiled at Stockmann Department Store in 1948 and continued to be manufactured until 1954.

The TUPA series is a reproduction of "WALDGLAS" (forest glass) which was made in Finland until the mid-19th century. The glass, called "antique green," was specially developed for this series.

This is a small plate from the TUPA series, manufactured between 1948 and 1954.

"WALDGLAS" (forest glass) is a green glass made primarily from forest ash and sand. It is not a uniform, high-quality glass, often containing bubbles, wrinkles, and impurities.

Moreover, we have handled many TUPA series products over the years, and most of them had scuffs, scratches, and stains. This phenomenon is not observed in IITTALA products from the same era and is likely a characteristic of this type of glass. Even for items with the same product number, there are individual differences in glass thickness and form. Please be aware of this.

*There are signs of use such as scuffs and scratches.

KAJ FRANCK｜1911–1989｜FINLAND

Kaj Franck is one of the most prominent designers of modern Finnish design in the 20th century. He studied under Arttu Brummer at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Helsinki (now Aalto University). After graduating, he worked in a wide range of fields, including furniture, interiors, and textiles.

In 1945, at the request of Kurt Ekholm, he was appointed chief designer at Arabia and was responsible for revitalizing tableware essential for post-war daily life. In 1946, he became a glass designer at Iittala after winning an award in the Karhula-Iittala competition. However, in 1950, he moved to Nuutajärvi, a group company under Wärtsilä (the same umbrella as Arabia), and as director, began designing glassware with a shared philosophy with Arabia.

Kaj Franck's design philosophy, often referred to as "the conscience of Finland," is based on the idea of "design for the masses" and "the social responsibility of the designer." He designed numerous universal products that can be used for a long time, characterized by simple geometric forms and colors free of ornamentation.

Arabia's KILTA (now TEEMA) series and Nuutajärvi's Tumbler 5027 (now KARTIO) series are long-selling products that continue to be manufactured by Iittala today. On the other hand, Franck also created many highly artistic unique glass pieces at Nuutajärvi using an artisanal approach, showcasing his artistic side.

From 1960, he also taught at the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki (now Aalto University), greatly influencing Finnish design education. He received numerous awards, including the Lunning Prize (1955), the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale (1957), and the Compasso d'Oro Award (1957).