Tamara Aladin 'Star' Decanter & Two Glasses

A rare 'Star' decanter and two glasses by Tamara Aladin, 1963, Riihimäen Lasi Oy, Finland.

Tamara Aladin is best known for her vast range of bold, colourful 'hooped' vases that were produced by Riihimäki glassworks throughout the 1960's. Almost her entire portfolio consists of these decorative vases, which were designed for the export market and produced in vast quantities. These pieces remain hugely popular and are instantly recognisable. The mould-blown vases were not only definitive of the glassworks' production during the 1960's, but were also definitive of the era itself. 

It is unknown to many that Aladin also designed a handful drinks services and table glassware. These items are rare, and, unlike her other work, were hardly exported from Finland. These series, namely 'Star' and 'X-serie' open a window into Aladin's creative talents when given the challenge of pairing her bold sense of form with the restraints of functionality. 

This decanter belongs to the 'Star' series. The name 'Star' is in reference to the millions of metallic specs contained within the glass; an effect created by adding silicon carbide to the molten glass. The result is a metallic, iridescent material which is both elegant and unconventional.

The form of the decanter itself is elegant; a concave, footed cylinder topped with a rounded stopper. The slim, waisted shape of the decanter is echoed in the pair of glasses, which are ergonomic and weighty in the hand. 

The 'glittery' glass used for the 'Star' series caused great difficulty for the glassblowers; to produce consistent pieces for the range was very challenging. For this reason, the series was only produced for around two years.