The Aalto vase is an icon.

In 2021, Iittala will launch a limited edition of 2021 numbered vases in one of the rarest Aalto shapes found in the Iittala archives.

Another, special edition of unique Aalto vases that are mouthblown using a wooden mould and made of 100% recycled waste glass from the Iittala Glass Factory will also launch next year.

Alvar Aalto designed his famous collection of glass objects for a competition organized by Iittala in 1936. The collection was presented to the public a year later at the 1937 Paris World’s Fair. The Aalto vase instantly caused a sensation with its dynamic wavy design that was as alive and fluid as the Finnish lakes that inspired it.

Aalto touched on something special with the simplified free form which leaves the owner of each vase to decide the purpose of the object. Several decades later and the collection continues to be world renowned. Especially the 160 mm vase, which is globally recognized as an icon of Finnish design.

One of the rarest Aalto shapes
In 2021, Iittala will launch a limited edition of 2021 numbered vases in one of the rarest Aalto shapes found in the Iittala archives. The shape was in production in 1937 and is reminiscent of a boomerang in that its pointier and thinner than the classic Aalto. There are only three known vases left from the original 1937 production run.

To commemorate Iittala’s 140th anniversary, Iittala’s master glassblowers will create a limited edition of 2021 vases in four colours: copper, moss green, dark grey and clear. All vases are numbered, and blown using a wooden mould.

100 % recycled Aalto vase
In spring 2019 the Iittala Glass Factory was one of the world’s first industrial manufacturers to start creating products solely from waste glass generated in the process of making products at the Iittala Glass Factory. In 2020, Iittala introduced a special edition collection made entirely of waste glass from the Iittala Glass Factory.

For 2021, Iittala will launch a special edition 140 mm tall Aalto vase made of 100 % recycled glass, mouthblown using a wooden mould. The wooden mould gives the glass a characteristic uneven, vivid surface. All mouthblown items are unique by nature, but the use of the recycled material makes it even more one of a kind: the colour of the item depends on the colour of the waste glass used making the mass. The colours vary between different shades of blue, green and grey.

Made in the Iittala Factory in Finland
Iittala still produces all of the Aalto vases in the very same factory in Iittala, Finland where the Iittala story began 140 years ago. Every Aalto vase is mouthblown.

Although an Aalto vase looks pure and simple in form, making them is far from easy. A vast amount of human skills, knowledge of materials, colours and production methods is required to create an object of ideal quality. Craftsmanship forms the basis: it takes 7 craftspeople, 12 work stages and 1100 °C of heat to make an Aalto vase.

The skilled artisans of the Iittala Glass Factory have dedicated themselves to keeping tradition alive; every single Aalto vase is individually made. Iittala is proud of the craftsmanship, expertise and knowledge that is used every day to build Iittala and uphold its high quality.

The icon of Finnish design is reborn every day, and its unique shape is showcased in homes and public spaces, museums and galleries around the world.

More designs by Iittala:

Iittala 2026 Alvar Aalto Collection Bubble2 | ScandinavianDesign.com

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