IITTALA - from a small glass village to a global design icon


The story of Iittala began in 1881 when Swedish master glassmaker Peter Magnus Abrahamson left the Nuutajärvi Glassworks to establish a new factory in the small Finnish village of Iittala. At the time, there was little to suggest that this quiet rural community would one day become one of the world's most respected names in design. Surrounded by forests, clean lakes and connected by a newly built railway, Iittala offered everything needed for glass production.

  • In its early years, the factory produced practical everyday items such as bottles, oil lamps and window glass. Everything changed during the 1930s, when Iittala embraced a new philosophy based on functional beauty rather than decorative excess.

  • This marked the birth of the timeless Scandinavian design language for which the company is now celebrated. From that point forward, Iittala became home to some of the greatest names in Finnish design.

  • Legendary designers including Alvar Aalto, Kaj Franck, Timo Sarpaneva, Tapio Wirkkala, Oiva Toikka and Heikki Orvola created objects that continue to influence designers around the world.

Timeline

  • 1881 – Iittala Glassworks is founded by Peter Magnus Abrahamson.

    Early 1900s – The factory primarily produces everyday household and industrial glassware.

    1936 – Alvar Aalto wins the Karhula-Iittala design competition with his revolutionary vase design.

    1937 – The Aalto Vase is presented at the Paris World Fair and gains international recognition.

    1956 – Timo Sarpaneva designs the iconic red "i" logo.

    1950s–1970s – Iittala becomes the leading force in modern Finnish glass design through the work of Kaj Franck, Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.

    1972 – Oiva Toikka introduces the first Birds by Toikka collection.

    1988 – Glass production at Nuutajärvi is consolidated with Iittala, bringing together two of Finland's most important glassmaking traditions.

    2007 – Iittala becomes part of the Fiskars Group, strengthening its position as one of the world's leading Scandinavian design brands.

    2010s – Classic collections such as Aalto, Teema, Ultima Thule and Birds by Toikka continue to inspire new generations of design enthusiasts.

    2024 – Iittala introduces a new IITTALA wordmark, replacing the iconic red "i" logo that had symbolised the brand for nearly 70 years.

    2026 – After more than 145 years, Iittala remains a symbol of timeless Finnish design, with both vintage and contemporary pieces cherished by collectors around the world.

Why collectors love Iittala

  • Few design companies have shaped twentieth-century Scandinavian design as profoundly as Iittala. Almost every decade has introduced a new design classic that has become internationally recognised. From the sculptural elegance of the Aalto Vase to the playful Birds by Toikka collection and the timeless simplicity of Teema tableware, Iittala has consistently demonstrated that exceptional design can also be practical.

  • Today, Iittala pieces are displayed in leading museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, while at the same time remaining part of everyday life in millions of homes. That unique combination of artistic excellence, functionality and lasting quality is what continues to make Iittala one of the world's most collected Scandinavian design brands.

Iittala legends

Designer Alvar Aalto - Royal SiO2

Most iconic design is the Aalto Vase by Alvar Aalto

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Designer Tapio Wirkkala - Royal SiO2

Most internationally awarded designer is Tapio Wirkkala

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Designer Timo Sarpaneva - Royal SiO2

Most technically challenging design is Orkidea by Timo Sarpaneva

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Designer Oiva Toikka - Royal SiO2

Most famous art glass collection is Birds by Toikka by Oiva Toikka

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Did you know?

  • Iittala wasn't originally a design brand

    For nearly fifty years, Iittala focused on producing everyday glassware such as bottles, tableware and lighting. Only during the 1930s did design become the company's defining philosophy.

  • The famous red "i" came much later

    Although Iittala was founded in 1881, its iconic red "i" logo did not appear until 1956. It was designed by Timo Sarpaneva, and has since become one of the most recognised symbols in Scandinavian design.

  • Good design never goes out of style

    Many Iittala designs created over 50 years ago are still part of the company's collection today, proving that timeless design can outlive changing trends.

  • Iittala was never meant to be luxury

    Unlike many premium brands, Iittala has always believed that good design belongs in everyday life. The company's philosophy has never been about creating objects for display cabinets, but about producing beautiful, functional pieces that can be enjoyed every day and passed from one generation to the next.

  • The Aalto Vase began as a competition entry

    In 1936, architect Alvar Aalto submitted an unusual flowing vase design to the Karhula-Iittala design competition. The following year it was showcased at the 1937 Paris World Fair, where it quickly became one of the most celebrated objects in modern design history. Today, the Aalto Vase remains one of the world's most recognisable glass designs.

  • Early Iittala glass was greenish

    The earliest glass produced at Iittala often had a green tint and contained small air bubbles. This was caused by naturally occurring iron in the sand used for glassmaking, together with the limitations of nineteenth-century production techniques.

Whether you are discovering Iittala for the first time or adding another piece to a long-standing collection, every object carries more than a century of Finnish craftsmanship and design heritage. At RoyalSiO₂, we carefully select original pieces that carry this remarkable story forward.