Vase 1388, Pablo, Erkkitapio Siiroinen, Riihimäen Lasi

Erkkitapio Siiroinen (1944–1996). One of the most original voices in Finnish glass design, Erkkitapio Siiroinen brought imagination, humour and sculptural thinking to the creations of Riihimäen Lasi during the late 1960s and 1970s. Originally aspiring to become a painter, he also studied music and composition before turning to industrial design under the guidance of Kaj Franck at the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki. While still a student, he began designing for Riihimäen Lasi, where he created both practical tableware and highly distinctive decorative glass. His bestselling Kasperi and Jesperi glassware collections introduced playful organic surface patterns to everyday glass, while his sculptural bottles - including the iconic Noppapullo (Dice Bottle), Veturipullo (Locomotive Bottle) and Tellus - captured the optimism and bold experimentation that characterised Finnish design during the 1970s. Combining vivid colours, geometric forms and a strong sense of storytelling, Siiroinen developed a visual language unlike that of any of his contemporaries. Today, his work remains highly sought after by collectors for its originality, technical ingenuity and unmistakable place in the history of Finnish art glass.