THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Scandinavian Modernist design is by Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978) Finnish jewellery and decorative designer. This piece was produced by Oy Kumela glassworks for jewellers Torun Hopea.
Sarpaneva's style was influenced by elements of the rugged Finnish landscape, casting textures from materials such as tree bark and rock. Other inspirations included traditional Finnish lace and the metals he worked with.
The design of this piece encapsulates much of Sarpaneva's style, his inspirations and the Modernist design influences of the time. The Cornflower blue glass surface shows off a number of textured and angular circular and semi-circular reliefs. The piece is finished with the silver collar that is decorated in Sarpaneva's rugged lace design that can be found in his jewellery designs. However, the collar being cast in silver is a rare find as this series of vases is typically found with a bronze collar.
CONDITION
Very Good, no chips, cracks or repairs to the glass, there is patinated wear and marring to the silver that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please see photos as part of the condition report.
The underside of the base is signed 'Pentti Sarpaneva' and 'Oy Kumela' and bears the original silver label 'Turun Hopea, Made in Finland'. The silver collar is also marked with '830' representing the purity of the silver and 'T7' which denotes the year 1972.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.1" / 8 cm tall x c. 2.8" / 7.2 cm length x c. 2.8" / 7.2 cm width. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 368 g
NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978) Sarpaneva trained in graphic
design, at the Institute of Industrial Art and following the war, began his design career in the late 1950s. He designed for Kalevala Koru Oy and later in 1967, he became artistic director for Turun Hopea, remaining there until his death.
Unique amongst his contemporaries, Sarpaneva would cast his designs straight from nature and the man-made environment, often using rocks and tree bark, as well as discarded rope and lace. During the height of his career, he was known for producing emotive, avant-garde, bold and eccentric designs.
