Tapio Wirkkala, 1950's art glass vase, Jäkälä (Lichen) Finger vase, Iittala

Wonderful glass art sculpture (Jäkälä) "Finger vase" from Tapio Wirkkala made in 1954. Also known as Lichen vase.

20 cm (7'85) tall with 13 cm (5'1) diameter. Signed in the bottom Tapio Wirkkala Iittala - 54. Lichen vase was designed in 1950 and was manufactured until 1964 in Iittala glass, Finland.

It was presented in Triennale di Milano in 1951. This is one of my favorites from Tapio Wirkkala.

The manufacturing process wasn't simple. At first Wirkkala carved the original molds himself from the wood.

He mainly used an axe and a carving nice to bring life into his visions. Later mold-makers made more molds, glass was blown into the molds by hand. After that they were cut and polished, sand-blasted to make the texture rough and lastly dipped to acid to make the texture as it is, velvet smooth and highly reactive with light so the art sculpture itself seems to be glowing from the natural light traveling through it. It's hard to understand how much knowledge and man-power had to be used to create this art.

My vase is in good vintage condition. There are no cracks, no repairs and no chips missing. It does have some signs of use such as tiny surface marks or black dots on the finger tips. There are no deep scratches in the vase. Check them from my shop. I post world wide and wrap with care. All my items are insured for lost or broken. This item is in the category "Pottery & Glass\Decorative Pottery & Glassware\Figurines". The seller is "cajan-mika" and is located in this country: FI.

This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America, all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, Australia.

Origin: Finland
Signed: Yes
Color: Clear
Material: Glass
Year Manufactured: 1950
Glassmaking Technique: Hand Blown
Brand: Iittala
Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
Type: Sculpture
Year: 1950
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Original/Reproduction: Vintage Original
Features: Signed
Production Style: Art Glass
Handmade: Yes