Alvar Aalto is one of the most important figures in 20th-century design and architecture. He created his own style inspired by man and nature. Aalto believed that 'good design' should be a part of everyday life and created products that have multiple uses, are sensitive and improve daily life. He never dictated how his glass objects should be used, wanting the user to decide on their functionality for themselves. The undulating, flowing, organic shapes of the objects in this collection are reminiscent of the thousands of lakes that punctuate the Finnish landscape. Iittala's glassblowers still make these iconic and serenely beautiful decorative objects by hand. The collection includes vases, bowls, table centrepieces and tea light holders. In the transparent versions, available in different colours, the glass reflects objects, water or light in a subtle and stylish way. Whether used in a bedroom, on a desk as a sundries tray, or on a dining room table as vases or centrepieces, the Aalto collection is a true masterpiece. Since their presentation in 1937 at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, these beautiful objects have been given as gifts, which, thanks to their timeless and minimal lines, have been handed down from generation to generation.
Born in Kuortane in 1898, Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto is Finland's most famous architect, town planner and designer, and one of the pioneers of organic design. After studying architecture at the Technical University of Helsinki, he organised exhibitions and travelled around Europe, from Italy to Scandinavia. In 1923, he opened his own architectural practice in Jyväskylä and married Aino Marsio, who soon became his closest collaborator. In 1935, the Aalto couple founded the Artek company. Plywood and glass are his materials of choice for a design that is both functional and seductive, with organic forms. A prolific and innovative designer, his creations are recognised the world over, from the Tea Trolley to the Pendant Lamp luminaires, not forgetting the chairs with their L-shaped legs, which allow the foot to be attached directly to the tabletop and which he called "the little column". Alvar Aalto drew inspiration from nature and abstraction to create his designs, using innovative techniques and natural materials. These products had to satisfy his demand for quality and durability, so that they would symbolise "the modern culture of the home". His studies enabled him to create buildings for which he designed the furniture himself. In 1952, he remarried the architect Elissa Mäkiniemi, with whom he worked until her death in 1976.
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IITTALA
Iittala is an internationally renowned Finnish brand specialised in tableware and everyday accessories. Inspired by mankind and nature, Ittala creates typically Nordic and timeless pieces. Ittala is a benchmark for Finnish design, whose philosophy is based on functionality, beautiful design and high levels of quality. Iittala collaborated with Alvar Aalto for his iconic "Aalto" collection of vases, cups and other objects. Iittala uses its know-how to create glassware and porcelain infused with a sleek and understated Scandinavian touch.