VASE (UNIQUE PIECE)

Kaj Franck is widely known for his functional and simple product forms, earning him the title of "the conscience of Finland." While his designs often evoke an image of stripped-down ornamentation and expression through color alone, he also created numerous unique art pieces using diverse techniques.

This piece, an art object produced between 1972 and 1978, shares the same form as the Goblet N540 but is a unique piece with a different color variation than the standard. The upper section features clear glass with champagne gold metallic material, the middle section is clear, and the bottom section consists of clear glass containing extremely tiny air bubbles.

The cut signature reads "Kaj Franck Nuutajärvi Notsjö." *There is no noticeable damage and it is in excellent condition.

KAJ FRANCK | 1911–1989 | FINLAND

Kaj Franck was one of the leading designers of 20th-century modern design in Finland. He studied under Arttu Brummer at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Helsinki (now Aalto University). After graduation, 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 revamping tableware necessary for daily life after the war. In 1946, he became a glass designer at Iittala after winning a competition at Karhula-Iittala, but in 1950, he transferred to Nuutajärvi, which became a group company under Wärtsilä (the same umbrella as Arabia), and as a director, 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 timeless products with simple geometric forms and color expressions devoid of ornamentation, intended for long-term use.

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, Franck also created many highly artistic unique glass pieces with an artisanal approach at Nuutajärvi, showcasing his artistic side.

From 1960, he was also involved in education at the School of Art and Design in Helsinki (now Aalto University), significantly 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).