VASE FINLANDIA 3362

The "FINLANDIA" series, unveiled 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, where the surface of the burnt wooden mold was directly imprinted onto the glass, was a revolutionary expression in the 1960s when the simple modern design that had continued since the 1950s had somewhat stagnated. This trend continued until 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 produced from a single wooden mold.

This is "3362," which was added to the "FINLANDIA" series in 1966.
Manufactured from 1966 to 1970.

The slightly yellowish glass is due to a chemical reaction between the carbonized surface of the wooden mold and the high-temperature glass.
This can be reduced by wetting the wooden mold during production to generate steam, but
in this case, it was not adopted for the "FINLANDIA" series because it would hinder the reproduction of the surface texture.

The cut signature is "TIMO SARPANEVA -3362."
*It is in good condition with no noticeable damage.

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 in 1949, he won second prize in Riihimaen Lasi's glass design competition and was invited as a glass designer.
However, negotiations broke down due to the humiliating offer of providing designs for free.
While exploring a path to becoming 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
Ahlstrom offered him a position as a glass designer at Iittala, a group company, and he changed his mind.
He began his career as a glass designer at Iittala in 1951.
With his initial sophisticated and artistic art pieces, he won the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale in 1954, and
with the "i-line," a mouth-blown utilitarian glass he unveiled in 1956, he also won the Grand Prix in 1957.
Together with his close friend Tapio Wirkkala, who had been an active designer at Iittala since 1946, he elevated Iittala to a leading brand in Finland.
At Iittala, he was also active in graphic design, including posters, brochures, and packaging.
In particular, 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 was active in a wide range of fields, including art glass, utilitarian glass, ceramics, graphics, and textiles, and is one of the outstanding designers representing Finnish modern design.