VASE FINLANDIA 3356

The "FINLANDIA" series, released in 1964, is one of Timo Sarpaneva's representative works from the 1960s.
While pursuing new techniques and repeatedly exploring and experimenting with glass expression, in 1963, he developed the work using burned wooden molds, a byproduct of another experiment, as inspiration.
The irregular, textured surface with凹凸, where the charred surface of the wooden mold was directly transferred to the glass, was a revolutionary expression in the 1960s, a period when the simple modern design that had continued since the 1950s had somewhat stagnated, and it became a trend that continued into the 1970s.
Even with the same product number, there were multiple wooden molds, and the surface of the wooden molds also changed as manufacturing continued, so each piece, even with the same product number, resulted in a unique work with variations in form and surface texture.
It seems that only 10 to 20 pieces could be manufactured from a single wooden mold, depending on the size and form.

This is "3356," one of the first works released as part of the "FINLANDIA" series.
Manufactured from 1964 to 1970.
The cut signature is "TIMO SARPANEVA - 3356."

TIMO SARPANEVA｜Timo Sarpaneva｜1926-2006｜FINLAND

Timo Sarpaneva majored in graphic design at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Helsinki.
After graduating, he won second prize in Riihimaen Lasi's glass design competition in 1949 and was invited to be a glass designer,
but negotiations broke down due to the humiliating offer of providing designs without compensation.
While seeking a path to become a glass designer, in 1950, he obtained work for exhibitions, show windows, and graphics for Ahlstrom, Iittala's parent company.
In the same year, he decided to leave Ahlstrom after receiving a glass design commission from Holmegaard in Denmark, but
Ahlstrom offered him a position as a glass designer at Iittala, one of its group companies, and he changed his mind.
He began his career as a glass designer at Iittala in 1951.
His first works, sophisticated and highly artistic art pieces, won the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale in 1954,
and his practical mouth-blown glass series, "i-line," released in 1956, also won the Grand Prix in 1957.
Together with his close friend Tapio Wirkkala, who had been a designer at Iittala since 1946, he elevated Iittala to become a leading Finnish brand.
At Iittala, he also excelled in graphic design, creating posters, brochures, and packaging.
In particular, the logo he designed for "i-line" later became the brand's logo and was used as a symbol of Iittala for a long time.
He was active in a wide range of fields including art glass, practical glass, ceramics, graphics, and textiles, and is one of the outstanding designers who represent Finnish modern design.