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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: beaubow on February 04, 2012, 05:37:21 AM

Title: Iitala Tapio Wirkkala Vase - Or Not?
Post by: beaubow on February 04, 2012, 05:37:21 AM

First, if I'm doing this wrong, please let me know.  This is my first post here (though I signed up years ago).

This vase has been sitting in a local antiques shop for years.  I always assumed it was a Tiffin (US Glass Co) Swedish Optic piece - a copy of a Scandinavian original.

I picked it up yesterday to ask about the price (it had been there so long the tag was completely faded!).  When I looked at the feet, I was shocked to see "TW" written on the bottom of one foot.  I know Iittala marked its Wirkkala-designed pieces that way, so I took a little risk and bought the vase (the price was too high for Tiffin but low for Iittala).

The thing is, I've never seen a Wirkkala piece that looked like this, and I can't find anything like it online.  It reminds me of the stuff Orrefors was doing in the 30s, which Tiffin copied in the 1950s.

It's 11.375" tall and 66.5" in diameter at the mouth.

(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/beaubowblue/Need%20ID/P2020319.jpg)

(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/beaubowblue/Need%20ID/P2020318.jpg)

(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/beaubowblue/Need%20ID/P2020324.jpg)

I'd appreciate anything anyone can tell me.  I know quite a bit about American Glass, but only enough about Scandinavian glass to make me a danger to myself. :)

Title: Re: Iitala Tapio Wirkkala Vase - Or Not?
Post by: rocco on February 04, 2012, 09:05:17 PM

Hi Robert and welcome to the board!
I am sure your knowledge of American glass will be very helpful to many of us :)

I had a look through the big Iittala book, but unfortunately couldn't find anything remotely similar to your vase.
It doesn't look like a 'typical' Wirkkala design to me (but I could be wrong).

Michael

Title: Re: Iitala Tapio Wirkkala Vase - Or Not?
Post by: flying free on February 04, 2012, 11:30:33 PM

Welcome to the board Robert  :sun:
You're doing everything right....but I'm not sure the diameter at the rim would be 66.5"  ;D
Hopefully you will find an answer here though.
m

Title: Re: Iitala Tapio Wirkkala Vase - Or Not?
Post by: beaubow on February 04, 2012, 11:36:30 PM

I just remembered I had a copy of "Tiffin Glassmasters: The Modern Years", and looking though it, I found the vase listed as a "6423 Gladiola Vase", so unless there was another, older designer with initials of "TW" who worked for Tiffin in the 50s, I'm assuming someone else put the mark on there as an attempt to make it something it wasn't.

And Flying Tree: you are correct: the rim is 6.5"; my "6" key sticks sometimes.