Set of 2 ice glass Festivo candleholders by Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala, Finland, 1960s.
An iconic embodiment of Finnish glass artistry, this pair of Festivo candleholders designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in the 1960s reflects a masterful blend of organic form and technical precision. Handcrafted with delicate expertise, the translucent glass captures and diffuses candlelight in a soft, ethereal glow, highlighting the nuanced textures that define Sarpaneva’s signature style.
Rooted in the Scandinavian design philosophy of harmony between nature and craftsmanship, these candleholders speak to a legacy where materiality and form converse intimately with their surroundings. The timeless elegance of the pieces transcends mere functionality, inviting a meditative experience of light and space.
More than objects, they are cultural artifacts — vessels of heritage that honor a lineage of creative intention and thoughtful production. Perfect for collectors and connoisseurs, this set epitomizes mid-century modern glass design at its most poetic and enduring.
OBJECT SPECIFICATIONS
PRODUCT: Festivo Candleholders (set of 2)
DESIGNER: Timo Sarpaneva
MANUFACTURER: Iittala
ORIGIN: Finland
PERIOD: 1960s
MATERIAL & TECHNIQUE: Pressed glass
COLOR: Clear, translucent
TEXTURE: Smooth with organic ice-like texture
CONDITION: Excellent condition
DIMENSIONS: (+-)
A. Heigh : 12.5 cm; Diameter: 7.5 cm
B. Heigh : 7.5 cm; Diameter: 7.5 cm
Timo Sarpaneva
Timo Sarpaneva (1926–2006) shaped glass as if sculpting from breath and shadow. A central figure in postwar Finnish design, he gave form to silence, frost, and light — creating pieces that feel elemental, suspended between nature and abstraction.
Through his long-standing collaboration with Iittala, Sarpaneva redefined industrial glass, blending refined minimalism with raw material expressiveness. He pioneered innovative techniques at Iittala glassworks — from the wet-stick method creating internal voids, to the “bark glass” of Finlandia (1964–70), where wood molds burned into the surface produced organic texture. His iconic works demonstrate his ability to transform molten glass into poetic objects — at once precise and primal.
RARE. collects Sarpaneva’s works as fragments of a northern imaginary — glass that remembers the forest, the cold, and the clarity of thought.