Nanny Still 'Tohveli' Vase

Nanny Still's 'Tohveli' series of filigree glass objects was designed towards the beginning of her career in 1953, and like Still's earliest works, the series differs in style to her later geometric designs by taking influence from Organic Modernism; a predominantly Finnish design movement that encouraged designers to look towards nature and experiment with modernity in a soft and abstract manner. This design ethos can be observed in the beautifully soft & natural shapes demonstrated by each member of the 'Tohveli' series, which consists of abstract leaves, lily pads or buds. 

 This vase, crafted in a soft pink hue, takes a subtle & natural form reminiscent of a perfect onion, bulb, or flower bud. The organic shape is delicately enhanced by a white filigree netting that follows the objects curves to create an attractive optical effect. Filigree, a historic Venetian glassblowing technique, employs glass rods to create linear patterns within the glass. The technique is renowned for its highly decorative properties and was explored by only a handful of Scandinavian designers during the mid-20th Century. 

This exquisite vase offers not only a renowned & early example of Nanny Still's celebrated work, but also an insight into her earliest vision of Modernity, abstracted from both nature & history.