LET’S COLLECT GLASS!

Glass, the most difficult, sensitive and exciting of the materials, has long been interesting to collect, also in Finland. Rare, historic glassware, special pieces or beautiful everyday items have inspired collectors through the decades. At the same time, collectors have actively maintained glass knowledge and appreciation and understanding of glassware.

Turnip bottles, pocket flasks and glug bottles (ray bottles) have been fun collectibles, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, and their preservation to this day has been interesting. The useful objects of the past have become today's curiosities; and to ponder about their purpose will amuse even the museum visitor. However, their monetary resale value has gradually declined, precisely because of the declining demand. So should you ponder making long-time investments, it is certainly worth considering buying older glass - if you ever encounter that!

Old glass, photographer: Ella Tommila

As early as in the 1990s, awareness of the so-called design glass and its significance for the export of Finnish design also rose, and by the 21st century it had exploded. The best-known Finnish names even at the Milan Triennials, led by Gunnel Nyman, Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva, once again increased international demand for Finnish art glass. The prices rose rapidly and there was fierce competition for items.

Demand for Finnish art glass is still strong, also abroad. Interest is based on both the quality of the objects and their elegance. Authenticity, solemnity, quality of the handprint are the most important criteria used by international collectors to measure the attractiveness of art glass. And in Finland all this is done superbly. If we sometimes lag behind other European countries in rare antiquities, we are the highest world-class in art glass.

From the collection point of view, it is certainly good to distinguish art glass and glass art from mass production. One of the best examples are probably Alvar Aalto's ‘Savoy’ bowls, i.e. the ‘Eskimo Woman’s Leather Pants’. The beautiful style of organic light and form appeals to us over the decades. The bowl, originally produced at the Karhula glass factory, has become an Iittala legend, and it can probably be found in most Finnish homes, in differing shades. Aalto's vases have a fairly simple rule of pricing in the art and design market. In connection with the vases produced in Karhula in the 1930s, one can sometimes even expect tens of thousands of euros;  the vases made in the 1940s and 50s thousands of euros, and from the 1960s onwards hundreds of euros. Mass-produced pieces are, of course, always more affordable than special versions blown into wooden moulds.

Glassware and glass items related to tableware have received slightly less attention on the design market at present. Aino Aalto's glass series, ‘Bölgeblick’, is one of the traditional design objects that have presented modern homes everyday beauty. The beautiful crystal sets of Riihimäki glass are popular with table setters, but their inconvenience regarding the dishwasher makes them less desirable to the general public. New types of glasses can be found at e.g. Iittala and Marimekko, such as Klaus Haapaniemi's ‘Taika’ series, Aleksi Kuokka's ‘Ote’, Anu Penttinen's ‘Sukat makkaralla’ or Matti Klenell's ‘Lempi’. All of these are playful, innovative and at the same time full of personal elegance. In addition, the glass companies have been able to breathe life into old design objects, such as Oiva Toikka's ‘Kastehelmi’ and Tapio Wirkkala's ‘Ultima Thule’; bringing out pieces in new colours and styles.

Aino Aalto Bölgeblick, photographer: Ella Tommila

Whether or not Finnish glassware has a resale price, it is definitely a testament to the skills of the eye and hand needed for design, as well as the joy of creating surprise and style. And remember this: as with all collecting, the most important aspect is indeed not the price but the work. Should you like it, acquire it for use or simply to admire.

Interesting designers on the design market at the moment are e.g.:

- the so-called three great ones: Gunnel Nyman, Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva

- classics: Oiva Toikka, Kaj Franck, Nanny Still, Helena Tynell, Tamara Aladin, Göran Hongell, Aimo Okkolin, Saara Hopea

- newer names: Harri Koskinen, Markku Salo, Heikki Orvola, Kerttu Nurminen, Brita Flander

- newcomers: Camilla Moberg, Kaappo Lähdesmäki, Helmi Remes, Anu Penttinen, Sini Majuri, Ella Varvio, Taru Syrjänen, Heikki Viinikainen

- surprises: EGS, Tommi Toija, Siru Tuomisto

Text: Art Historian Johanna Lindfors