Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Rosenthal Bud Vase

Designer: Tapio Wirkkala

Manufacturer: Rosenthal AG

Materials: White bisque porcelain with glazed interior

Country of Origin: Germany

Date: 1970

Dimensions: 3.5”h x 4.5”w x 5”d

Condition: Excellent with original box   

Tapio Wirkkala was the Finnish Michael Graves, designing thousands of objects for a variety of manufacturers. The “Pollo” vase pictured, designed around 1970 is one of my favorites of his designs. Available in a variety of sizes and in black or white porcelain, all share Wirkkala’s silk matte finish – they are wonderful objects to handle. Rows of raised dots emanate from the “neck” opening that sits to one end of the “body” of the bird-shaped vase. Its bottom is rounded, so it rocks gently back and forth – an animated little thing.