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Iittala 'Kimara' Smoke Glass Bowl (Product No. 2011) c.1953-1960

Iittala Kimara smoke glass bowl with two clear handles, featuring a sandblasted 'i' logo on the base. - view 1
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Estimated value

$45 - $85

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Brand

Iittala

Era

c. 1956-1960

Origin

🇫🇮 Finland

Artist / Creator

Saara Hopea

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
50

IITTALA 'KIMARA' SMOKE GLASS BOWL (PRODUCT NO. 2011) C.1953-1960: IDENTIFICATION

Hand-blown smoke grey (savunharmaa) glass bowl featuring two applied clear glass handles with a distinctive crimped or 'pleated' texture. The base exhibits a ground and polished pontil mark with a sandblasted lower-case 'i' logo within a square, a trademark designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1956.

Compare with other decorative pieces in the archive: Mid-Century Modern Abstract Stone Sculpture on Marble Base, Amber Pressed Glass Tray - Starburst Pattern, Wall-Mounted Barometer and Thermometer.

PRODUCTION PERIOD

Designed by Saara Hopea in 1953 for the Iittala glassworks in Finland, the Kimara series (meaning 'medley' or 'blend') remained in production until 1960. This specific color, produced by adding metal oxides to the glass melt, was a hallmark of the Finnish Modernist movement which prioritized clean lines and functional transparency.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

The 'i' logo seen on the base was originally designed for the i-line glassware series in 1956 before becoming the company's permanent corporate trademark.

2

Designer Saara Hopea was awarded a silver medal at the X Triennale di Milano in 1954 for her glassware designs including elements of the Kimara line.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 17 decorative items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Acid-etched/sandblasted 'i' mark is consistent with late 1950s Iittala factory standards
  • Color and handle application techniques align perfectly with Saara Hopea's documented Kimara 2011 design
How does authenticity detection work?

DECORATIVE ARTS EXPERT'S TAKE

Decorative Arts Specialist

Silver & Glass Expert

Identification is high due to the clear presence of the hallmark and the distinctive handle architecture specific to this Saara Hopea design.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Sandblasted lower-case 'i' logo in square identifies post-1956 Iittala production
  • 2Applied 'crimped' handles are diagnostic for the Kimara series No. 2011
  • 3Ground and polished pontil indicates hand-finished craftsmanship
  • 4Smoke-grey coloration is a catalog-standard hue for Finnish glass of this era

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Heavy scratching on the underside may suggest frequent use, requiring a check for interior 'clouding' or water lime scale

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Inspect handle attachment points under 10x magnification for hairline heat cracks
  • →Examine inner rim for 'flea bite' chips not visible in top-down photos

CONDITION & GRADE

Good (VG)

Grading breakdown

Deductions for visible surface scratching on the underside; price would be higher if original triangular 'i' sticker was present.

Condition

Significant shelf wear and circular scratching visible on the ground base ring; the upper rim appears intact without flea bites, though handle joins should be checked for stress fractures.

DECORATIVE ARTS VALUATION

$45 - $85

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Collectors of Scandinavian mid-century modern design and Finnish glass enthusiasts specializing in Iittala or Saara Hopea.

What increases value

  • •Presence of the sandblasted factory mark
  • •Clarity of the smoke-grey color without internal clouding
  • •Integrity of the crimped handles

What lowers value

  • •Surface scratches on the body (not base)
  • •Chips to the delicate pleats on the handles

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Presence of the original red and white paper 'i' label
  • •Larger size variants in rare colors like violet or sea green

Grade & condition

Surface clarity, presence of marks, and lack of chips on high-contact points like the handles.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar decorative objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

RE

Rene

Fellow Collector•44 items

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