Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Scandinavian Glass => Topic started by: Pip on September 10, 2008, 09:28:47 AM
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Hi, I was wondering if anyone here could help explain something to me.
I have a large 'Flora' bowl that I had a hunch was by Iittala when I bought it, although I wasn't certain. My memory did me well since I now know that it is an Oiva Toikka design for Iittala and I've seen a few online with the Iittala red 'i' stickers still on. However, I've recently seen tumblers and a jug from the same range - one bearing an 'Arabia - Finn Crystal' sticker and the other one described as being by Nuutajarvi.
I know the three companies had very close links and merged at some point but can anyone confirm exactly which of the three companies was responsible for the original design?
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Hi Pip,
exact dates I have reference for are contradictory so I'll be vague....
Flora was designed by Toikka for Nuutajärvi circa 1966, Nuutajarvi was owned by Wärtsilä who also owned Arabia. Early 'flora' has Nuutajärvi labels, from some time in the early 70s they were marketed under the Arabia brand with a variety of different labels, and from some time in the mid 80s to today all Nuutajärvi production has be sold as Iittala following a merger of the two company's which are now owned by the Hackman group. Older Iittala labels are triangular, more recent rectangular.
All the above is open to correction and clarification.
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Thanks Martyn - that's very helpful. Obviously I have no way of knowing from which of the three companies my bowl came from (it's not labelled) but to say it was a mid 60s Oiva Toikka design for Nuutajarvi wouldn't be incorrect.
Cheers!
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By the by - Iittala and Arabia are now owned by Fiskars.
http://www.iittalagroup.com/web/iittalagroupwww.nsf/pages/main_en?OpenDocument&LANG=en
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Before long they'll be just one mega company called somthing like... :huh: .. Finland. :)