Tapio Wirkkala for Asko Cocktail Table in Birch

Tapio Wirkkala for Asko, coffee table, birch, metal, Finland, 1960s.

Coffee table with wooden inlay motifs designed by Tapio Wirkkala. The table is produced by Asko. This coffee table is one of Wirkkala's iconic furniture designs. Made with four oval shaped wood inlays that are made of the core of a tree with annual rings. Elegantly designed tapered legs with solid brass details.

One of Finland's leading designers was Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) who made a great contribution to Scandinavian mid-century modern design of the 20th century. Born and raised in Helsinki, Wirkkala started his education at the National School of Applied Arts in the capital. Afterwards, he began his career in graphic design. At the age of twenty-five, the outbreak of the Second World War started and Wirkkala soon served the Finnish army. As the war ended in 1945, Wirkkala continued his work as a designer by joining the glass manufacturer ‘Iittala’, where he worked on numerous designs till the end of his life. Wirkkala's approach to design was highly innovative and ranged from furniture, porcelain, glass, jewelry and tableware. His talent excelled in combining organic forms into industrial manufactured designs. A striking example are his inlaid coffee tables that he designed for Asko. For this, he used laminated sheets of plywood sanded to a smooth surface that resembles an abstract leaf. It represents the main approach in his designs; a sculptural and elegant modern exterior that blends perfectly with simplicity and functionality.

Kindly note that this table is in good, used condition.

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