Blues

Originally designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1985, the Blues vases are what Sarpaneva described as a soft "round square." This unique form can be seen throughout the artist’s career starting with his colour-rimmed glass plates and porcelain and steel collections to the glass sculptures he created in his later years. Combining coloured and opal glass creates the unique watercolour feel to the mouthblown glass. The Blues collection received a national prize in 1985. To honour the extensive Sarpaneva exhibition at the Helsinki Design Museum, Iittala has brought back the Blues vases in two new colours, elegant rain and natural moss green, as well as two new sizes, 200 mm and 320mm. The original wooden mold from the 1980s was found at the Iittala Glass Factory to make the 320mm vase. The Blues vases are mouth blown at the Iittala glass factory in Finland.

TIMO SARPANEVA

Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006) was an international force in Finnish design. A designer, sculptor and educator, Sarpaneva’s pioneering glass work merged art with utilitarian design. Besides glass, he also worked with textiles, wood, porcelain and metal. Sarpaneva’s unique industrial design that helped to pioneer Finland’s global design reputation. Sarpaneva’s works are exhibited internationally. He has received much recognition throughout his illustrious career including the Lunning Prize and was twice awarded at the Milan Triennale. In 1976, Sarpaneva received the honorary title of Professor from the Finnish government.

Throughout his long collaboration with Iittala, Sarpaneva was responsible for creating key hallmarks of the company’s style. He designed the “i” logo which serves as the symbol of the company. In addition, Iittala’s Sarpaneva, a cast-iron pot, is a timeless classic that has been recognized as an international design icon.