TAPIO WIRKKALA. 19 “Ultima Thule” tableware parts, Iittala.

7 glasses, height 9 cm.
4 glasses, height 7 cm.
8 snap glasses, height 5,5 cm.

Tapio Wirkkala was a prominent Finnish glass artist and designer. He was born on 2 June 1915 in Helsinki, Finland, and died on 19 May 1985 in the same city. Wirkkala is known for its innovations in glass. Wirkkala's glass designs were often inspired by nature and the beautiful Finnish landscapes. Combining art and nature, he created works of art reminiscent of ice formations, water currents and other natural phenomena.

He began his studies in decorative sculpture at the Central School of Fine Arts in Helsinki in 1933. Wirkkala became particularly famous after winning the Iittala competition in glass design in 1946. Two of his works, the Madonna and the Campanile, were exhibited at the Milan Triennale in 1951, where he won the Grand Prix in three categories: glass, wood and exhibition design. This triumph brought him international attention and established the foundation for his successful career.

During his career, Wirkkala worked with many different materials, designing everything from banknotes for the Bank of Finland to stamps for the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. He was also active in silver design, gaining attention for his works at the Milan Triennial in 1954.

Wirkkala also made an international career, working for a time in New York for Raymond Loewy. He designed the Finlandia and Century tableware for the German company Rosenthal, which won a gold medal at the international ceramics competition in Faenza five years in a row. In 1959 he became a designer for glass manufacturer Paolo Venini in Italy.

He was married to ceramic artist Rut Bryk, and they had two children, designer and interior designer Sampsa (Sami) Wirkkala, born 1948, and artist Maaria Wirkkala, born 1954.

During his career, Wirkkala was awarded several awards, including three gold medals at the Milan Triennale, the Lunning Prize, the Pro Finlandia Medal and the Prince Eugen Medal.

The name “Ultima Thule” derives from ancient geography and was used to denote the outermost remote northern area. Wirkkala found inspiration in the Arctic nature and climate of northern Finland, especially in the melting of ice, when he created this unique tableware for Iittala in the 1960s.

What makes Ultima Thule so characteristic is its distinctive surface that resembles ice crystals or frost that form when the water freezes. To achieve this unique texture, Wirkkala spent thousands of hours in the glassworks, experimenting and perfecting the manufacturing process.