description Iittala Overview
Iittala is a Finnish design brand whose origins lie in a glass factory established in the village of Iittala in 1881. It produces glassware, tableware, cookware, and decorative objects shaped by Finnish and broader Scandinavian modernist design traditions. Its catalog includes work associated with designers such as Alvar Aalto, Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, and Kaj Franck, and many designs emphasize functional forms intended for everyday domestic use.
insights Ranking position
Iittala ranks #12 of 295 in the Pottery ranking, behind Newcomb College Pottery, ahead of Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery.
help Iittala FAQ
Is Iittala a pottery company or a glass company?
Iittala began as a glassworks in the Finnish village of Iittala in 1881. The modern brand also sells ceramic tableware, cookware, and decorative products, including designs inherited from Arabia and other Finnish design houses.
Who designed the Iittala Aalto vase?
Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto created the undulating glass vase for a 1936 design competition. It was shown internationally at the 1937 Paris Exposition and remains one of Iittala's defining objects.
What is the difference between Iittala and Arabia Finland?
Iittala originated in glassmaking, while Arabia began as a Helsinki ceramics factory in 1873 and became known for tableware. The two now sit within the same broader Finnish design portfolio, so Arabia ceramic collections may be sold alongside Iittala glass.
Which Iittala tableware series was designed by Kaj Franck?
Kaj Franck designed the modular Teema tableware, developed from his earlier Kilta service. He also created Kartio glassware, expressing his preference for simple geometric forms and mixable colors.
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