VASE FINLANDIA 3360

The "FINLANDIA" series, released in 1964, is a representative work of Timo Sarpaneva from the 1960s.
While pursuing new techniques and repeatedly exploring and experimenting with glass expression, in 1963, he developed the work based on a burnt wooden mold, a byproduct of another experiment.
The uneven, irregular surface texture, which directly replicated the burnt surface of the wooden mold onto 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. This became a trend that continued into the 1970s.
Even for 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 in terms of form and surface texture.
Depending on the size and form, it seems that only 10 to 20 pieces could be manufactured from a single wooden mold.

This is "3360", which was added to the "FINLANDIA" series in 1965.
Manufactured from 1965 to 1970.
The slightly yellowish glass is due to a chemical reaction between the carbonized surface of the wooden mold and the hot glass.
This could be reduced by wetting the wooden mold during production to generate steam, but this method was not adopted for the "FINLANDIA" series as it would hinder the reproduction of the surface texture.
The cut signature is "TIMO SARPANEVA -3360".
*It is in good condition with no noticeable damage.

TIMO SARPANEVA | Timo Sarpaneva | 1926-2006 | FINLAND

Timo Sarpaneva specialized in graphic design at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Helsinki.
After graduating, in 1949, he won second prize in Riihimaen Lasi's glass design competition and was invited as a glass designer, but negotiations broke down due to the humiliating offer of providing designs for free.
While searching for a path to become a glass designer, in 1950, he got work for Ahlstrom, Iittala's parent company, doing exhibitions, show windows, and graphic design.
In the same year, he decided to leave Ahlstrom after receiving a request for glass design from Holmegaard in Denmark, but he changed his mind after Ahlstrom offered him a path to become a glass designer at Iittala, one of its group companies.
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.
He also won the Grand Prix in 1957 for "i-line," a practical mouth-blown glass series released in 1956.
Together with his close friend Tapio Wirkkala, who had been a designer at Iittala since 1946, he elevated Iittala to a leading Finnish brand.
At Iittala, he was also active in graphic design, including posters, brochures, and packaging.
Notably, the logo he designed for "i-line" later became the brand logo and was used as a symbol of Iittala for a long time.
He is one of the outstanding designers who represented Finnish modern design, working in a wide range of fields including art glass, practical glass, ceramics, graphics, and textiles.