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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Scandinavian Glass => Topic started by: Tinker-Taylor on September 03, 2009, 04:28:50 PM

Title: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase? - ID = Tapio Wirkkala for iittala
Post by: Tinker-Taylor on September 03, 2009, 04:28:50 PM
In a desperate attempt to distract myself from the aftermath of being extremely ripped off on ebay today, I have been out to buy this vase from a charity shop. 

It cost me £4 and they didn't wrap it, so I've just been sat on a bus for an hour with this thing in my hand thinking "Why the hell did I buy this?"

I know it's not Whitefriars because I am quite familiar with their work, but now I have cleaned it up and put it my little table I really like it.  It's 16.5cm tall and I have no clue who made it.

Anyone fancy cheering me up and telling me it's made by a supreme glass God (without fibbing!)??

It's not signed, of course, or I would probably be booking my holidays by now!

Thanks, as always.
Stu.
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: nigel benson on September 03, 2009, 04:38:03 PM
Your supreme glass god for today is ....Tapio Wirkkala who worked for Iittala, Finland.

£4.00!!! I'd keep that Charity shop very quiet if I were you :o

Nigel
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Tinker-Taylor on September 03, 2009, 04:43:52 PM
!!!

Is this true?  Is it valuable?  You're not allowed to tell me that and then go offline!

 :o  Blimey!

I am very grateful though, as ever.
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Max on September 03, 2009, 04:52:40 PM
Nigel's not fibbing.  :D It is by Tapio Wirkkala, designed in 1972 and (rather unfortunately) is called 'Pinus'.   :hiclp:  Very nice find!

Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: nigel benson on September 03, 2009, 05:01:34 PM
Max,

What's unfortunate about the latin name for Pine?????

Stu,

Not hugely valuable, but it'll give a good return on £4.00!

Nigel
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Tinker-Taylor on September 03, 2009, 05:12:34 PM
Max & Nigel,

Thank you.  It's nice to have some good news after my Frank Thrower nightmare (as detailed in the Museum Cafe).

Amazing that these charity shops can still miss the odd bit of class - I donate there, so I am... sort of... guilt free.

 :-[

...damn.
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Anne on September 03, 2009, 05:44:03 PM
Nice find Stu, hope it's put the smile back on your face! :kissy:
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Tinker-Taylor on September 03, 2009, 06:14:38 PM
Thanks Anne!  Yes, it has thanks.  Swings and roundabouts, eh!

 ;D
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: glassobsessed on September 03, 2009, 11:09:59 PM
Have a really close look at the base it may be signed TW somewhere, I have one Wirkkala vase (not as nice as yours) and you can only see the letters when you hold it at the right angle.

John
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Tinker-Taylor on September 04, 2009, 06:04:59 AM
More swings and roundabouts.  I have been wishing the initials there but they won't come!  ::)

It might have been his day off maybe...?

Stu.
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Pain on September 04, 2009, 07:44:29 AM
I have seen a few of these vases during my surf of the net.  DK have it listed  :D
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Tinker-Taylor on September 04, 2009, 08:06:11 AM
I have no idea who DK are... 

 :-\
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Pain on September 04, 2009, 09:22:13 AM
www.antiques.dk.com  :)
Title: Re: The Ultimate Charity Shop Junk Vase?
Post by: Tinker-Taylor on September 04, 2009, 09:44:05 AM
Thanks Pain.

They seem to list the basic 22.5cm vase, whereas mine is the far superior 16.7cm version (joke)!  Good thing it's not all about the money, eh?

I think this one is a keeper from my perspective though.  I don't want to upset anyone, but if you put this next to a clear bark Whitefriars of the same sort of size, I know which I would choose.

I was thinking about saying that I think Whitefriars is really overrated, but that might be pushing things too far for a newbie like me!

Here's another photo of the vase close up.  This bit really really really looks like ice when the light hits it.  Genius.  So happy with it!!!  I don't care how sad this sounds.

Stu.