Aalto Finlandia Vase
Made by Iittala
Designed by Alvar Aalto
In 1936, Alvar Aalto entered his sinuous glass vase into the Karhula-Iittala Glass Design Competition and took first prize. The form, inspired by the Finnish word for wave ("aalto"), was unlike anything being produced at the time. Where decorative objects of the era favored symmetry and ornament, Aalto's vase offered something quieter and more radical: an organic silhouette that seemed to follow the logic of nature rather than the drafting table.
Each vase in the Alvar Aalto Collection is still mouth blown at the Iittala factory in Finland, a process that gives every piece a subtle individuality. The collection spans a range of colors and sizes, from deep jewel tones to clear glass, adapting to light and context in ways that reward close attention.
- Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936
- Mouth blown at the Iittala factory in Finland
- Available in multiple sizes and colors
- Winner of the Karhula-Iittala Glass Design Competition
Nearly ninety years on, the vase has lost none of its conviction. It stands as a foundational object of Scandinavian modernism and a measure of how far a single, well-considered form can travel.
Typically ships in 12-14 weeks.
- Color:
- Clear
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Shipping & Returns
Please refer to our shipping and return & exchange policy.
Warranty
Luminaire is an authorized retailer of Iittala. The product comes with a full manufacturer warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Aalto vase still made the same way as the original?
Yes. Every vase in the Alvar Aalto Collection continues to be mouth blown by skilled glassblowers at the Iittala factory in Finland, preserving the handcraft tradition Aalto's design was born into.
What inspired Alvar Aalto's vase design?
Aalto drew from the organic movement of water. "Aalto" means wave in Finnish, and the vase's undulating silhouette reflects that influence directly, rooted in the Finnish landscape he grew up in.
How do I choose the right size Aalto vase?
The collection ranges from small, sculptural pieces well suited to a desk or shelf, to larger formats that anchor a dining table or entryway. The vase reads as a design object even when empty, so proportion relative to the surrounding space matters as much as intended use.
Can the Aalto vase hold fresh flowers and water?
Yes. Despite its sculptural reputation, the Aalto vase is fully functional and intended for use with flowers, branches, or water alone. Its irregular opening accommodates loose, asymmetric arrangements naturally.
What makes the Aalto vase significant in design history?
When Aalto introduced the vase in 1936, it departed sharply from the decorative conventions of the period. Its freely curved, asymmetric form was an early and influential expression of organic modernism, and it has remained in continuous production ever since.
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