Decorative bottle and glass, Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala

The Details
Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
Object: Decorative bottle / Art glass
Model: No model designation
Series: Standalone piece
Manufacturer: Iittala
Date of Manufacture: 1948
Material: Glass
Technique: Free-blown glass with hand-painted enamel decoration
Color: Clear, red, green, yellow, blue, orange, black
Width: Bottle 100 mm / Glass 35 mm
Length: Bottle 65 mm / Glass 35 mm
Height: Bottle 190 mm / Glass 58 mm
Weight: Bottle 935 g / Glass 100 g
Condition: Excellent condition with minimal signs of wear.
Signed: "TW Iittala -48".
Numbered: Unnumbered
Keyword: Scandinavian design, Finnish glass.

The Story
Created by Tapio Wirkkala in 1948, this unique hand-painted liquor bottle with a shot glass is a shining gem of Finnish design history. This free-blown art glass piece, decorated with playful enameled motifs—such as cityscapes, a walking man, and a black cat—represents Iittala's postwar shift toward artistic design. Because the painted details on each piece are unrepeatable and the series lacks an official model number, it is a truly unique narrative design object. Excellently preserved examples with the authentic "TW Iittala -48" signature are exceptionally rare on the secondary market and highly prized by collectors. Due to its historical significance and the rarity of Wirkkala’s early creative period, this piece offers collectors stable, long-term investment value. It is a museum-quality object that unites free-form playfulness with craftsmanship, making it a worthy addition to any discerning glass collection.