Aalto vase, 160 mm, Tones of Modernism, white frosted

Iittala’s Aalto vase is celebrated as a classic of Finnish design and glass art, its organic form inspiring admiration and countless interpretations of its purpose for decades. The vase began as Alvar Aalto’s prize-winning entry in a design competition held by the Karhula–Iittala glass factories in 1936. Just a year later, it was showcased in several sizes and colours at the Paris World’s Fair and became part of the interior design of the elegant Savoy Restaurant in Helsinki, Finland.

Now, its global journey continues as the vase appears in white frosted glass as part of the Tones of Modernism Collection, a collaboration between Finnish Design Shop and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The soft hue echoes the gentle tones found in Helene Schjerfbeck’s paintings, featured in the museum’s exhibition, Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck on-view from December 5, 2025, through April 5, 2026. 

This Aalto vase is available in a limited edition and is available exclusively at Finnish Design Shop.

Alvar Aalto

At the heart of Iittala's design ethos lies a playful yet enduring approach to Finnish glassware craftsmanship. Since its inception in 1881, this spirited company has evolved from a glass manufacturer to a beacon of Finnish design – a creative cosmos of functional beauty.

Although glass still remains at the core of its heritage, Iittala’s collections are nowadays a testament to the joy of everyday living, offering a kaleidoscope of versatile tableware and décor in all colours of glass. Step into the enchanting world of Iittala and sprinkle a little magic into your daily routines!