Timo Sarpaneva vase

This is a mouth-blown glass vase or bottle from the Pullo or Bird Vase series, designed by Timo Sarpaneva and produced by Iittala in Finland in 1956. The vase is rendered in a translucent aquatic blue glass, with a subtle gradient that transitions from a slightly denser coloration at the base to a clearer upper body. The form is vertically elongated and cylindrical with a rounded shoulder and a narrow, pinched spout, giving the piece a distinctive avian silhouette that inspired its popular name.

The glass exhibits the characteristic traits of Sarpaneva’s mid-century production: slight asymmetry, organic form, and clarity of material. The neck is topped with a minimalistic spout, the lip of which is carefully deformed during the glassblowing process to create a soft, naturalistic asymmetry. The base contains a characteristic push-up punt, which forms a small conical rise internally, typical of hand-blown vessels. The underside is signed “Timo Sarpaneva”.

Timo Sarpaneva (1926–2006) was a leading figure in Finnish design whose contributions to Iittala in the 1950s and 1960s helped establish the brand’s international reputation. His glass works from this period are renowned for their sculptural quality and technical innovation, bridging fine art and industrial design. The Pullo series in particular is celebrated for reducing the vessel form to its essential elements while introducing organic idiosyncrasies that give each piece a unique identity.

Iittala’s production under Sarpaneva reflected the ideals of Scandinavian modernism: simplicity of form, reverence for materials, and artisanal skill within a framework of design clarity.

The condition of this vase is excellent, with no chips, cracks, or notable surface abrasions. The interior and underside show expected signs of studio production and handling, consistent with its age.

The dimensions are 9 cm in diameter and 19.5 cm in height, which corresponds to approximately 3.5 inches wide and 7.7 inches high.