Iittala - Birds by Toikka Little Tern

Finnish design visionary Oiva Toikka’s iconic collection of glass birds took flight in 1972 at the Nuutajärvi glass factory. In 2014 the production of the series was transferred to the Iittala Glass Factory, where Toikka continued his close collaboration with the glassblowers. Combining his passion for nature and blown glass art, Toikka adds unique details that give each bird its own personality. Handcrafted and mouthblown, each bird is a truly one of a kind art object. The collection embodies a rich fusion of glassmaking traditions and Toikka’s hands-on-approach with his team of master craftsmen. Birds by Toikka Little Tern is a lively, joyous soprano. Her vivid red colour emphasizes her simple, streamlined design.

Oiva Toikka

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. In addition to glass, his artistic activities cover staging, fashion design and plastic interior design elements.
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. Birds by Toikka series combines the artist’s limitless imagination with his expertise in the characteristics of glass. The unique and colorful birds, which are all handmade, have become the passion of collector’s worldwide.

Iittala

Iittala is a Finnish company that is an icon of Scandinavian design, founded in the Finnish village of the same name in 1881. Iittala represents the best Scandinavian craftsmanship tradition of glassmaking, and its products are timeless design icons: globally appreciated objects of original and unique style that are distinguished by high quality materials, sophisticated design and extreme functionality. Collaboration with the greatest designers in history has led to the creation of objects of absolute value such as the Alvar Aalto vases, designed in 1936, which represent a historical icon of modern design. Iittala represents the history of modern design and offers original, functional, high-quality objects with designs that never go out of fashion; accessories for everyday use.