Chanterelle
Inspired by the mushroom, Tapio Wirkkala’s Chantarelle vase is one of the greatest pieces of Scandinavian design. Created in 1947, it won the prestigious Grand Prix at the 1951 Milan Triennial. It is a careful balance between function and sculpture, with the incised repetitive lines in the body and the undulating lip creating a dynamic form. A sculptor and woodcarver, Wirkkala’s designs reflect his passion for the natural forms found in his native Finnish landscape. The Chantarelle is a strikingly elegant piece of art glass that is mouth-blown using the wheel-engraved technique.
Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) was a design genius and a leading figure in modern Finnish industrial art. His portfolio covered glass, furniture, product design, sculpture, city planning, graphics and even Finnish banknotes. International success brought exhibitions around the world, yet he remained a solitary figure whose strongest inspiration came from nature.