The Aalto Vase, also known as the Savoy vase, is a world famous piece of glassware and an iconic piece of Finnish design created by Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino Marsio. It became known as the Savoy vase because it was one of a range of custom furnishings and fixtures created by Alvar Aalto and Anio for the luxury Savoy restaurant in Helsinki that opened in 1937.The vase was also designed as an entry in a design competition for the Ahlström owned Karhula-Iittala glassworks factory in 1936.
The design was inspired by the dress of a Sami woman. Called Eskimåkvinnans skinnbyxa (the Eskimo woman's leather breech), the design consisted of a series of crayon drawings on cardboard and scratch paper. Aalto created initial prototypes by blowing glass in the middle of a composition of wooden sticks stuck into the ground, letting the molten glass swell on only some sides and creating a wavy outline.
The initial manufacture of the vase was not without problems and the original idea of using molds made of thin steel sheets forced together to form closed sinuous shapes had to be abandoned. The vase was originally manufactured by the glassworks factory using a wood mold which was slowly burned away. This vase was later displayed for the 1937 World's Fair in Paris and the original height of the Savoy vase was 140 mm. Aalto never made money with the vase, because the design belonged to the factory for which the design competition entry was produced.
The vase has been manufactured in nearly a full spectrum of colours. The simplicity of the vase continues to be popular in the 21st century. Smaller versions of the vase, just as Aalto designed them with the seams visible and a slight curve at the base, are still produced by glasspressing at the Iittala glass factory in Iittala, Finland. Larger versions are made using Aalto's design, but without seams.
2022 colours
ultramarine blue vase
160 mm
175,90 €
2022 colours
ultramarine blue vase
220 mm
164,90 €
2022 colours
ultramarine blue vase
251 mm
186,90 €
ultramarine blue vase
270 mm
208,90 €
copper vase
220 mm
164,90 €
copper vase
160 mm
175,90 €
copper vase
251 mm
186,90 €
copper vase
270 mm
208,90 €
clear vase
95 mm
87,90 €
clear vase
120 mm
109,90 €
clear vase
160 mm
175,90 €
clear vase
220 mm
164,90 €
clear vase
251 mm
186,90 €
clear vase
270 mm
208,90 €
opal vase
95 mm
87,90 €
opal vase
120 mm
109,90 €
opal vase
160 mm
175,90 €
opal vase
220 mm
164,90 €
opal vase
251 mm
186,90 €
linen vase
160 mm
175,90 €
linen vase
220 mm
164,90 €
linen vase
251 mm
186,90 €
moss green vase
160 mm
175,90 €
moss green vase
220 mm
164,90 €
moss green vase
251 mm
186,90 €
moss green vase
270 mm
208,90 €
grey vase
160 mm
175,90 €
grey vase
220 mm
164,90 €
grey vase
251 mm
186,90 €
cranberry vase
160 mm
307,90 €
flower vase clear 4 parts
180 x 360 mm
2198 €
clear bowl
H75 mm
43,90 €
grey bowl
H75 mm
43,90 €
sea blue bowl
H75 mm
43,90 €
cranberry bowl
H75 mm
54,90 €
linen bowl
H75 mm
43,90 €
clear plate
50x380 mm
384,90 €
clear candle holder
60 mm
25,20 €
grey candle holder
60 mm
25,20 €
oak tray
339 x 346 mm
65,90 €
oak tray
388 x 397 mm
131,90 €
Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is a recognized master of modern architecture and design. Born in Kuortane, Finland, Alvar Aalto began to make his distinct mark in design shortly after receiving his architectural degree from Helsinki Polytechnic in 1921.
In 1924, Alvar Aalto married fellow architect Aino Marsio, creating a lifelong partnership that built an international design legacy. During his remarkable career, Alvar Aalto designed major public institutions including concert halls, museums, universities, libraries as well as private homes throughout the world. Aalto’s furniture and houseware designs derived organically from his architectural work.
Alvar Aalto’s unique aesthetic helped to define Finnish design as well as introduce it to a global audience. Alvar Aalto hallmarks include a harmonious relationship with nature, functionalism combined with beauty, excellent attention to details and an ingenious use of materials.
Aalto’s designs were already being exhibited internationally as early as the 1930s, including at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. When Alvar Aalto premiered his “Savoy Vase” at the 1930 New York World’s Fair, it instantly caused a sensation with its dynamic wavy design that was as alive and fluid as the Finnish lakes that inspired it. The legendary vase is one of the world’s most famous glass objects and remains a timeless staple for Iittala.
