Annual cube annual cube 2019 83 x 78 mm

Since 1977, the Annual Cube designed by Oiva Toikka has been an outstanding example of Iittala’s glass-coloring expertise and the skill of its glassblowers. Toikka (1931-2019) used the ‘paperweight’ technique to create private, microscopic worlds, each suspended in an internal space. He makes shapes with bubbled and sprouted tentacles or with filigree in little stripped forms that he uses, cased and cut to build ‘cube-constructions.’ A different bird and egg are created annually. The cube, bird and egg follow the same design and color scheme, which differ from year to year. A limited edition of only 2000 numbered cubes are made.
 

Oiva Toikka (1931-2019) is one of the great personas of Finnish glass design. His imaginative, rich and bold glass art is a departure from mainstream Nordic design. Toikka’s individual style is also evident in the utility objects he creates as they often deviate from the traditional clean-lined puritanism of Finnish design aesthetics. In addition to glass, his artistic activities cover staging, fashion design and plastic interior design elements.

Toikka has gained a solid international reputation throughout his prolific career, which dates back to the 1950s, having worked with well-known designers and artists both in Finland and abroad. He has won several prestigious awards including the Kaj Franck Design Prize and the Prince Eugen Medal. In 1993, Toikka was given the honorary title of Professor of the Arts by the state of Finland. Birds by Toikka, a series designed for Iittala combines the artist’s limitless imagination with his expertise in the characteristics of glass. The unique and colorful birds, which are all handmade, have become the passion of collector’s worldwide.