TIMO SARPANEVA (FINNISH 1926-2006) FOR IITTALA §
'FINLANDIA' (BARK GLASS) CENTREPIECE, 1960s
Estimate: £600 - £800
Auction: Modern Made Day 2 - Lots 124 to 456 - Friday 02 May at 10:30
Description
engraved Timo Sarpaneva 3376 and with manufacturer's label, clear glass blown into carbonised wood mould
Dimensions
14cm high, 36.5cm diameter (5 ½in high, 14 3/8in diameter)
Footnote
"Glass was poured or blown into the molds and allowed to remain long enough for the molds to burn, thereby roughening the surfaces. Each time the mold was blown into, the grain texture changed causing each object in the Finlandia series to be unique although mold-blown. The molds were gradually, and intentionally, destroyed through repeated contact with glass heated to 500 °C (932 F). The changing surface gave each piece a natural randomized "bark" effect created by the carbonized wood, which could not otherwise be convincingly created by an artist.'
(Cummings, Keith, A History of Glassforming, Philadelphia: University of Philadelphia Press, 2002)