Oiva Toikka "Iglu" Bubbles Glass Vase, For Nuutajärvi, 1970s

– country: Finland. – design: Oiva Toikka. – manufacture: Nuutajärvi. – material: glass with uncontrolled bubbles. – series: Iglu. – finish: glossy. – year: 1970s. – colours: off-white. – size: length: 11cm|width: 6, 5cm|height: 12cm. – perfect vintage condition. Oiva Toikka (1931-2019) is one of the great personas of Finnish glass design. His imaginative, rich and bold glass art is a departure from mainstream Nordic design. Toikka’s individual style is also evident in the utility objects he creates as they often deviate from the traditional clean-lined puritanism of Finnish design aesthetics. Toikka has gained a solid international reputation throughout his prolific career, which dates back to the 1950s, having worked with well-known designers and artists both in Finland and abroad. He has won several prestigious awards including the Kaj Franck Design Prize and the Prince Eugen Medal. In 1993, Toikka was given the honorary title of Professor of the Arts by the state of Finland. When Oiva Toikka arrived at Nuutajärvi, Kaj Franck (1911–1989) was the artistic leader. Kaj was already known as the leading figure of Finnish design. They became the best of friends despite their different personalities and considerable age difference. In addition to making pressed glass products, Nuutajärvi had a long tradition of crafting high-quality glass art. In 1975, the Art Collection was launched, consisting of objects made in limited editions. In the making of objects for this collection, the glass blower received a large degree of freedom in the design. There was a definite basic form, but it was the craftsman’s skill and feeling that completed the work.