Timo Sarpaneva was a Finnish designer, sculptor, and educator best known in the art world for innovative work in glass, which often merged attributes of display art objects with utilitarian designations. While glass remained his most commonly addressed medium, he worked with metal, wood, textiles, and porcelain.

Sarpaneva was born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1926. He studied at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts from 1945 to 1948, and then at the Taideteollinen Oppilaitos (now Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture) from 1948 to 1951. In 1951, he was hired by the Iittala glassworks, where he worked for the rest of his career.

Sarpaneva was a prolific designer of glass art, both sculpture and functional objects. He pioneered many new methods in glass making, together with the glassblowers of Iittala glassworks. Among the new methods developed was the wet-stick method where spherical spaces within glass are created more...

32 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Timo Sarpaneva Finnish glass vase for Iittala, signed 'T. S.'…

Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Glass Vase, Signed, 38 cm High

Timo Sarpaneva Finnish glass vase for Iittala, signed 'T. S.' and bearing original label, 38 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva 'Claritas' glass vase for Ittala, with original…

Timo Sarpaneva 'Claritas' Glass Vase with Label - 28cm

Timo Sarpaneva 'Claritas' glass vase for Ittala, with original factory label, 28 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, bark vase, charcoal tinted glass,…

Charcoal Bark Vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala

Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, bark vase, charcoal tinted glass, height 21.5 cm

Timo Sarpaneva 'Kukinto' vase for Venini, stunning hand blown…

Sarpaneva's Venini Kukinto: Multi-Coloured Hand Blown Vase

Timo Sarpaneva 'Kukinto' vase for Venini, stunning hand blown vase in multi-coloured tones. (signed 1992), Italy, c 1992, 43 cm high, 39 cm deep

Timo Sarpaneva Finnish cased art glass vase with crackle…

Crackled Timo Sarpaneva Finnish Art Glass Vase, Engraved

Timo Sarpaneva Finnish cased art glass vase with crackle finished interior, engraved Timo Sarpaneva, 33 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva (Finnish, 1926-2006) drinking set, c. 1970…

Timo Sarpaneva Glass Drinking Set

Timo Sarpaneva (Finnish, 1926-2006) drinking set, c. 1970 coloured glass, comprising a carafe, five tumblers, together with a jug and a vase (8)

Timo Sarpaneva (Finland, 1926-2006) four bottles executed by…

Timo Sarpaneva Glass Bottles Set

Timo Sarpaneva (Finland, 1926-2006) four bottles executed by Iittala, clear, blue, purple and grey glass, signed 'T Sarpaneva' and 'Ts' (4)

Timo Sarpaneva, Kelo Murano glass umbrella stand for Venini,…

Sarpaneva Murano Glass Umbrella Stand for Venini

Timo Sarpaneva, Kelo Murano glass umbrella stand for Venini, designed 1988, engraved 'Venini, 94', Sarpaneva', with original label 'Venini, Murano, Italy', 47 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva, Kukinto Murano vase for Venini, circa 1992,…

Sarpaneva's Kukinto Murano Vase for Venini, 1992

Timo Sarpaneva, Kukinto Murano vase for Venini, circa 1992, engraved 'Venini, '92, Sarpaneva' with original label 'Venini, Murano, Made In Italy', 42 cm high, 42 cm wide,

Timo Sarpaneva, 'Arkipelago' series Finnish glass vase for…

Timo Sarpaneva 'Arkipelago' Glass Vase with Box

Timo Sarpaneva, 'Arkipelago' series Finnish glass vase for Iittala, in original box, engraved 'Timo Sarpaneva 5144', 23 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva, and Tapio Wirkkala, Finnish glass vases,…

Finnish Glassware by Sarpaneva and Wirkkala for Iittala

Timo Sarpaneva, and Tapio Wirkkala, Finnish glass vases, candelabra, jug and candlesticks, for Iittala, (6 items), two vases engraved 'T.M.' the candlesticks engraved 'T.S.', the candelabra 28 cm high

Tapio Wirkkala, and Timo Sarpaneva, Three Finnish glass vases…

Finnish Glass Vases by Wirkkala and Sarpaneva

Tapio Wirkkala, and Timo Sarpaneva, Three Finnish glass vases for Iittala, grey piece engraved 'Timo Sarpaneva, 3357', squat vase engraved 'Tapio Wirkkala, 3450', tall example with 'Iittala' label, the largest 21.5 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva, Two stackable bird vases, Finnish glass for…

Stackable Bird Vases by Timo Sarpaneva

Timo Sarpaneva, Two stackable bird vases, Finnish glass for Iittala, circa 1960's, engraved 'T. Sarpaneva', with serial numbers, 13 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva, 'Orkidea' (orchid) Finnish glass bud vase for…

Timo Sarpaneva's 'Orkidea' Finnish Glass Bud Vase

Timo Sarpaneva, 'Orkidea' (orchid) Finnish glass bud vase for Iittala, designed in 1954, engraved 'Timo Sarpaneva 3568', 14 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala Finnish brown glass carafe, engraved 'T.…

Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Brown Glass Carafe, Engraved

Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala Finnish brown glass carafe, engraved 'T.S.', 22 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala Finnish blue glass carafe, engraved 'T.…

Timo Sarpaneva Blue Glass Carafe, Engraved, 29.5cm High

Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala Finnish blue glass carafe, engraved 'T. Sarpaneva, 3503', 29.5 cm high

A collection of glassware by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala,…

Timo Sarpaneva's Glassware Collection for Iittala, Finland

A collection of glassware by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, Finland comprising six glass candlesticks, designed 1966, six 'Senator' beer glasses, designed 1968 produced from 1968-81, four 'Senator' glass coupes and three 'Senator' wine glasses, designed 1968…

Iittala Finland 'Crassus' large glass vase designed by Timo…

Iittala Finland 'Crassus' Vase by Timo Sarpaneva

Iittala Finland 'Crassus' large glass vase designed by Timo Sarpaneva

Two Iittala Crassus art glass vases by Timo Sarpaneva, c.1960,…

Iittala Crassus Art Glass Vases by Timo Sarpaneva

Two Iittala Crassus art glass vases by Timo Sarpaneva, c.1960, square in shape on a pedestal style base, with original label, chip & repair to corner of small vase, height 15-23 cm

Timo Sarpaneva (Finnish, 1926-2006), Crassus vase, c. 1960,…

Sarpaneva's Crassus Vase by Iittala, 1960

Timo Sarpaneva (Finnish, 1926-2006), Crassus vase, c. 1960, executed by Iittala, clear and frosted glass, height 22.5 cm

Timo Sarpaneva (Finnish, 1926-2006), bowl, c. 1975, clear and…

Timo Sarpaneva Frosted Glass Bowl

Timo Sarpaneva (Finnish, 1926-2006), bowl, c. 1975, clear and frosted glass, inscribed to base 'Timo Sarpaneva 3375', height 18 cm, diameter 24 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Three Finnish glass carafes by Timo Sarpaneva, two tall and one…

Finnish Glass Carafes by Timo Sarpaneva

Three Finnish glass carafes by Timo Sarpaneva, two tall and one ovoid shape, each with engraved marks. Tallest height 32 cm

Two glass decanters by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, in a…

Cranberry Glass Decanters by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala

Two glass decanters by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, in a cranberry colour, tapering to a fine spout, etched to base T Sarpaneva - 2503 height 26-30 cm

[Iittala] Timo Sarpaneva, Finlandia vase 3362 + an Orchid vase…

Timo Sarpaneva Orchid Vases

[Iittala] Timo Sarpaneva, Finlandia vase 3362 + an Orchid vase 3568, one timber moulded, sandblasted, the other clear glass steam blown, both signed & numbered to base, height 14 cm, height 16 cm

Timo Sarpaneva twelve candle holders for Iittala glass, Fesitvo…

Timo Sarpaneva Festivo Candle Holders

Timo Sarpaneva twelve candle holders for Iittala glass, Fesitvo range, varying shapes and heights, Finland, c 1970s, 32 cm high, 8 cm deep

A rare Jaapuikko or 'icicle' pourer designed by Timo Sarpaneva,…

Timo Sarpaneva Sapphire Blue Iitalia Pourer

A rare Jaapuikko or 'icicle' pourer designed by Timo Sarpaneva, for Iitalia, Finland, c.1958. sapphire blue colour. Signed and numbered 3288. Height 25.5 cm.

A Scandinavian Timo Sarpaneva clear art glass vase, tall ovoid…

Timo Sarpaneva Clear Glass Vase with Bubble Inclusions

A Scandinavian Timo Sarpaneva clear art glass vase, tall ovoid form with thick wall, the base with three bubble inclusions, engraved signature and number 5111985 to base. Height 22.5 cm

A Venini glass vase by Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006), incised…

Sarpaneva Venini Glass Vase, 2002

A Venini glass vase by Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006), incised Venini/2002/Sarpaneva, 45 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, bark vase, with charcoal tinting.…

Charcoal-tinted Bark Vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala

Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala, bark vase, with charcoal tinting. Height 22 cm

Timo Sarpaneva for Venini, Kukinto blue and green glass vase,…

Sarpaneva Venini Kukinto Blue/Green Glass Vase (42cm)

Timo Sarpaneva for Venini, Kukinto blue and green glass vase, signed and with original Venini sticker affixed. Height 42 cm

Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006), a Venini glass vase, incised Venini…

Sarpaneva Venini Glass Vase, 2002

Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006), a Venini glass vase, incised Venini / 2002 / Sarpaneva to base. 48 cm high

Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006) A fluted vase manufactured by Venini…

Fluted Sarpaneva Venini Vase, 1994

Timo Sarpaneva (1926-2006) A fluted vase manufactured by Venini glass, c.1994 engraved Venini / 94 / Sarpaneva to base and original lable Venini Murano / made in Italy to side. Height 25 cm