Vintage Tapio Wirkkala 3282 Sipuli "Onion" Art Glass Italian Modernist Bud Vase - $175 - (Asheville, NC)
A contemporary mid-century hand blown 'Sipuli' (Onion) shaped vase created by the legendary Tapio Wirkkala. It is engraved and signed Italy on the base, along with the date 1982. This modernistic vase measures 5.0" inches high x 3.0" inches wide. Although he was considered one of the leading Scandinavian Modernist designers, and he spent many years as a key glass designer at Iittala in Finland, this particular vase being engraved "ITALY," makes it even more ultra rare than it already is. All of the examples that I have seen in my research, have been signed Iittala, not Italy. The vertical design is what's known as "line cut" crystal, running from the top down to the bottom of the vase. The only fault that has been observed on this original vase is a minute crack near the mouth of the vase, that runs horizontally. It is contained within the tapered mouth of the vase, and likely occurred from using a metal tool to maintain the opening, or it could have cooled too quickly after it was created. It has been gently and thoroughly cleaned and is now ready for your home. An ultra rare find indeed by the Master Glassblower "Tapio Wirkkala" with the Italy signature!
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From ebay.com - 1 month ago