Iittala

Finnish glassworks that after the war became world-famous through Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva, and through the Aalto vase. The brand today also includes Nuutajärvi and Arabia.

The glassworks was founded in the village of Iittala in Häme by the glassblower Petter Magnus Abrahamsson. It long made everyday glass, and in 1936 Alvar Aalto won a competition in which the works took part with the wavy vase that became the Savoy vase.

After the war Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva worked at Iittala and won prizes at the Milan Triennales. Kaj Franck's Kartio and Wirkkala's Ultima Thule became everyday classics, and Iittala is now part of the Fiskars group.

Engraved signature with artist and number; the round red label with an i was introduced in 1956.

• Glass
• Savoy vase
• Kantarelli
• Alvar Aalto