Birds by Toikka Barn Owl 100 x 155 mm

Oiva Toikka is one of the greatest names in Finnish design. His iconic collection of Birds by Toikka first took flight back in 1972 with the creation of his small glass Flycatchers. The collection embodies a rich fusion of glassmaking traditions and would not have been possible without Toikka’s hands-on-approach at the glassworks and his keen understanding of each employee’s skills. Drawing from nature and his passion for art glass, Toikka has created more than four hundred birds in the last forty years.

Today, collecting Toikka birds has become an international activity with collectors tracking down rarities and discussing favorites with the same enthusiasm as their real-life equivalents in the ornithological world. These lovely little creatures are individually mouth-blown making them a unique treasure in homes, offices or any other space where they nest.

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.