An icon of Finnish design, the iittala Alvar Aalto Vase is one of the most famous glass pieces in history. Alvar Aalto created the Alvar Aalto Vase design in 1936 and entered it in the Karhula-Iittala Glass Design Competition, in which it won first place. The Aalto Vase was unveiled the following year at the World's Fair in Paris, where its simple and organic shape was received as revolutionary compared to the ornate styles of the time. Today, the Aalto Vase remains modern and timeless. Each iittala Alvar Aalto Vase is still crafted by its original mouth-blown process by Finland's most skilled glassblowers at iittala. While the fluid form feels like a natural occurrence, it takes 7 craftsmen, 12 work stages and 30 hours to create just one of these extraordinary vases. Each vase is machine etched with "ALVAR AALTO IITTALA" on the base.

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.