Alvar Aalto Glass Vase from Iittala – 6.3″H

When Finnish design legend Alvar Aalto first showed this deliriously wavy vase at the World’s Fair in 1937, its sinuous lines and shape caused an instant sensation. The Aalto vase was commissioned for and used in the interior design of the luxury Savoy restaurant in Helsinki, Finland. An object in MoMA”s collection, the Aalto Vase’s mysterious undulating shape has been the subject of much speculation; some say it is based on Aalto’s sketches entitled, “The Eskimo Woman’s Leather Breeches.” Others believe that the fluid shape might be inspired by the lines of the Finnish landscape. Either way, the vessel’s organic form is not only beautiful to look at, it also lends itself perfectly to flower arrangements. Each lead-free crystal piece is mouth-blown into a mold and hand-polished by skilled craftsmen in the Iittala factory. The Alvar Aalto Vase is crafted in Finland by Iittala, a manufacturer with work in MoMA’s collection.