Saara Hopea Hors d'Oeuvre Dish & Tray Set

A round glass hors d'oeuvre dish on a rectangular wooden tray designed by Saara Hopea for Nuutajärvi Glassworks, 1955.

The smoke-grey coloured glass dish is shallow, and its walls subtly taper outwards at the top. With a similar subtly, an indentation in a perfect circle has been carved into the bowl’s teak carrying tray. This is functional, designed to stop the glass dish slipping from its tray when at an angle. The arch, following the golden ratio, cut from the front of the tray is also a practical consideration -to allow it picked up with ease.

Both the materials in use are of the highest quality and whilst the elements involved are understated, together they are visually arresting. Known as model 1367, this item was designed for a humble task, but the object is a great example of how Hopea’s work epitomises Finnish High-Modernism of the 1950's -akin to Kaj Franck's Kilta design.

This is perhaps why The British Museum holds this Hopea design, as well as the variations with two and four bowls within its permanent collection.