Creator of the Finlandia vodka bottle and designer for companies such as Ittala, Wirkkala’s activities with Venini represented a transitional phase in his versatile career and had a profound influence…

Creator of the Finlandia vodka bottle and designer for companies such as Ittala, Wirkkala’s activities with Venini represented a transitional phase in his versatile career and had a profound influence on the Murano glassmaking industry. Most famous of his works for Venini are his particolored bottles: clean, simple forms distinguished by seamless transitions in solid color. This was achieved with the incalmo technique, an ancient glassblowing method promoted by Wirkkala. He often combined this with the mezzafiligrana and murrine techniques for which Murano glass is famed.