| Detailed specifications | |
| Maker | iitala |
| designer |
Tapio Wirkkala |
| Series name | Niva / Niva |
| era | 1972-1992 |
| Country of manufacture | Finland |
| condition |
★★★★☆ (4.5: Very good condition) This is a dead stock item with no signs of being used, but there are individual differences in air bubbles and wiping marks on the glass. This product is available in multiple quantities. All items will be sent in the same condition as the photo. If you would like to see individual photos, please contact us via message. |
| size | Approximately 4.5cm in diameter and 5.5cm in height |
These are shot glasses from the Niva series by Tapio Wirkkala, one of Finland's leading designers. Tapio Wirkkala is a legendary designer at Iittala, and a representative of 20th century Finnish Scandinavian modernism who was involved in all kinds of industrial design, including fixtures, furniture, and stamps.
The source of the design is the flow of water and natural trees and leaves, and the name Niva in this glass means "fast-flowing water" in Finnish. The bulge-like part in the center expresses the gushing rapids. There are still reprints of Niva Glass, but this is an original vintage item manufactured from the 1970s to the 1990s. It is made of blown glass and there are slight wiping marks on the thick bottom.
Iittala's vintage version has a slightly different overall clarity compared to the modern version. Originally, Iittala glass was formed by pouring molten glass into a mold, so there is not much difference in form between the vintage and modern versions, but the modern version is characterized by higher transparency due to advances in lead-free glass molding technology. However, for vintage items, the edges are finished by hand by craftsmen. As a result, when you touch it with your fingers, the edges feel slightly uneven. In the modern version, everything is done by machine control, so there are no fluctuations that are typical of manual work. In addition, the mouth of vintage glasses is slightly thinner and softer, so it feels softer when it hits your mouth.
Please note that this shot glass has not been reprinted and is only available as a vintage item. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as drinking well-chilled spirits such as whiskey and vodka straight, or as a small plate for sweets or a small bowl.
Tapio Wirkkala
Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985)
An important figure in Finnish industrial design, he left behind genius achievements in a variety of design fields. His extensive body of work ranges from glass, furniture and product design to sculpture, urban planning and Finnish banknotes. While his work was internationally acclaimed and he held exhibitions all over the country, he was a man who loved nature and preferred solitude, and lived in a mountain hut in a deep forest area. His unique perspective has brought him numerous awards, most notably the Gold Medal at the Milan Triennale three times.
In 1946, Virkala won the first design award at Iittala's competition and became the company's art director, gaining worldwide recognition. His achievements include over 400 glass works created for Iittala, especially the Ultima Thule series and Tapio series, which are still loved by many people today.