Finnish glass artist Oiva Toikka has died at age 87

The designer, whose career spanned six decades, passed away on April 22, 2019.

Toikka transformed Finnish glass design through his refusal to follow Nordic minimalism’s strict rules. Where others pursued clean lines and restrained elegance, he chose bold colors, organic forms, and playful experimentation. His work celebrated imperfection and spontaneity—qualities he considered essential to authentic craft.

His Birds by Toikka series, begun in 1972, became his most recognized legacy. Each of the more than 400 glass birds he designed was individually mouth-blown, making every piece unique. These whimsical creatures found homes in collections from Helsinki to Tokyo, transforming functional glassware into cherished art objects.

Beyond his iconic birds, Toikka created beloved tableware collections including Kastehelmi, Flora, and Fauna for Nuutajärvi and Iittala. He also designed stage costumes, textiles for Marimekko, and furniture for Magis, demonstrating creative range that extended far beyond the glass studio.

“I wouldn’t call it work, because I’ve never really been into work, but I do like having fun,” Toikka said in 2014. That philosophy—choosing joy over perfection—defined both his design approach and his enduring influence on Finnish glass art.

Oiva Toikka, Kenneth Williamsson, Signe Persson-Melin with glass blower at Pukeberg, 2012.

Photo by Scandinaviandesign.com / Ola Marton