Question 1

How do I identify authentic Iittala glass markings?

Accepted Answer

Authentic pieces produced after 1956 typically feature the red circular 'i' logo designed by Kaj Franck, though this sticker often wears off. Collectors should look for acid-etched or diamond-engraved signatures on the base, such as 'ALVAR AALTO IITTALA' or 'TAPIO WIRKKALA IITTALA', though many mass-produced 21st-century pieces only utilize transparent adhesive labels.

Question 2

What is the most expensive Iittala piece ever sold?

Accepted Answer

Secondary market values range from 20 USD for contemporary Ultima Thule tumblers to over 15,000 USD for rare, mid-century art glass pieces. A record price was set in 2021 when a 1950s 'Lichen' vase by Tapio Wirkkala sold for approximately 35,000 EUR at a specialized design auction in Finland.

Question 3

What is Iittala's oldest product line still in production?

Accepted Answer

While the Savoy vase is the company's most recognized item, the ‘Aino Aalto’ pressed glass series, introduced in 1932, is the oldest product line still in active production. These stackable glasses won the gold medal at the 1936 Milan Triennale and established the functionalist aesthetic of the brand.

Question 4

What is the difference between vintage and modern Aalto vases?

Accepted Answer

Collectors differentiate between early mouth-blown Aalto vases and modern mold-blown versions by examining the rim and base thickness. Pre-1950s vases often feature a slightly green tint due to the iron content in the glass batch and lack the uniformity found in laser-cut 21st-century production.

IITTALA

QUICK FACTS

Tapio Wirkkala 'Iceberg' Crystal Vase

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

Iittala Nuutajärvi Oiva Toikka Glass Bird - 'Ugla' (Owl) Yellow and Black Striped

Glassware designs that transitioned from the 1937 Paris Expo to modern collections

Alvar Aalto Vase (Savoy)

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