VASE (UNIQUE PIECE)

Filigree glass, which followed Venetian glass techniques, began to be manufactured in Nuutajärvi in the late 1850s. Kaj Franck started working on this technique, which had once ceased, in the early 1950s, and revived it in 1961.

Nuutajärvi's filigree glass is formed by carefully arranging thin, stretched rods of colored glass into a wooden mold with grooves carved on the inside, then blowing transparent glass into it, fusing it, and twisting it. Kaj Franck himself meticulously selected everything from the color and thickness of the glass rods to their arrangement.

This is a unique piece combining bubbly glass and filigree glass. The cut signature reads "Kaj Franck Nuutajärvi Notsjö 17.9.1975." It was manufactured on September 17, 1975. Normally, the manufacturing date is not included in the cut signature, so it is presumed to be a work with a special background. *No noticeable damage; in good condition.

KAJ FRANCK｜Kaj Franck｜1911–1989｜FINLAND

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

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

Kaj Franck's design philosophy, also known as 'the conscience of Finland,' is based on the ideas of 'design for the masses' and 'the social responsibility of designers.' He designed many universal products that can be used for a long time, characterized by simple geometric forms and color expressions devoid 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. Meanwhile, at Nuutajärvi, he also created numerous highly artistic unique glass pieces with an artisanal approach, which showcase Franck's artistic side.

From 1960, he was also involved in education at the School of Art and Design in Helsinki (now Aalto University), having a significant influence on 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).