“SOAP BUBBLE” VASE (GREY) KF113

Designed in 1951 and manufactured from 1951 to 1961. One of the earliest art glass pieces designed at Nuutajärvi.

Named "SOAP BUBBLES," this vase features a thin glass in a simple, slightly irregular form, shaped by mouth-blowing. It is a work that highlights the texture and transparency of the material itself within its light form.

This piece was also exhibited in the "Design in Scandinavia" exhibition, which toured North America from 1954 to 1957. This is the smaller of the two sizes produced.

The cut signature is "K. Franck Nuutajärvi Notsjö -61."
This particular piece was manufactured in 1961.
*There are no noticeable damages, and it is 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, interior design, and textiles.

In 1945, at the request of Kurt Ekholm, he was appointed chief designer at Arabia and was responsible for revamping tableware essential for post-war daily life. In 1946, he became a glass designer at Iittala after winning an award in a competition held by Karhula-Iittala, but in 1950, he moved to Nuutajärvi, which became part of the Wärtsilä group along with Arabia. As a director, he began designing glassware with a shared 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 numerous universal products with simple geometric forms and colors stripped of ornamentation, intended for long-term use.

Arabia's KILTA series (now TEEMA) and Nuutajärvi's tumbler 5027 series (now KARTIO) are long-selling products that are still manufactured by Iittala today. At the same time, Franck also created many highly artistic, unique glass pieces at Nuutajärvi through an artisanal approach, showcasing his artistic side.

From 1960, he also engaged in education at the Helsinki School of Art and Design (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 (1957).