Iittala X Magis Linnut lamp Sulo S 215 x 135 mm

Linnut (Finnish for ‘birds’) is a collaborative project by Magis, Iittala and Oiva Toikka. Magis adds new life to a flock of Toikka’s most iconic mouthblown birds by replacing the glass with a brilliant, versatile plastic. The result is Linnut, a playful collection of five cable-free, movable, and rechargeable sculptured lamps that bring a joyful glow to outdoor dinners, brighten a dark entryway or serve as a nightlight in a child’s bedroom.

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.