Timo Sarpaneva

Timo Sarpaneva, a vase from the Finlandia series for Iittala. In production 1964-1970.

Fixed-blown glass in a wooden mould. Height 26 cm. Width 24 cm.

Sarpaneva invented the wood mould firing technique by accident. He wanted to create a surface pattern on the glass. To make the surface pattern, the wooden mould was filled with, among other things, saw blades and wires. The glass was then blown into the mould. Glass master Reino Löflund thought the result was unsatisfactory and sent the samples to Sarpaneva, who was delighted to receive them. The molten glass had burned onto a twig in the mould, forming a charred surface. The pattern of the wood had been perfectly replicated on the glass. "Can you produce these?" The artist was curious. "We'll see when you come to the factory." Sarpaneva arrived at the glass factory on the train the next morning.
Marjatta Sarpaneva

Minor marks underneath. Rim chip.