Top 5 Wedding Gifts from Finland for 2010

Top 5 Wedding Gifts from Finland for 2010

FinnStyle.com, the largest seller of modern Finnish design in the U.S., has just released their annual list of the five most popular wedding gifts from Finland. The list is compiled from the selections of all brides and grooms who have registered at FinnStyle’s online wedding registry during the last 12 months.

Leading the list is the Artik stainless steel flatware design from iittala, Finland’s best-known manufacturer of tabletop products. Designed in 1997 by two “new generation” Finnish designers, the Artik pattern is a fine example of modern Finnish design: simple yet elegant. Oval-handled Artik has been one of the best selling cutlery designs from Finland for a few years.

Second on the list is a perennial favorite from a master of Finnish mid-20th century design, Timo Sarpaneva. In 1960, Sarpaneva created a cast iron pot which is both beautiful to look at and functional for cooking and serving. Known today as simply the “Sarpaneva Pot”, this inspired design is so revered in Finland that it was celebrated with its own Finnish postage stamp.

The next favorite among registrants at FinnStyle.com is the Essence line of wine glasses. Introduced in 2001, Essence has been one of Finland’s most popular tableware designs of the decade. Taller than most wine glasses, the Essence design melds a strikingly modern look with a balanced, pleasing grasp. Essence is also one of the most affordable designs of iittala glassware.

The fourth and fifth spots go to two of iittala’s long-standing favorites: Aarne drinking glasses (Göran Hongell, 1948) and Teema oven-to-table dishware (Kaj Franck, 1952). Both designs are midcentury Finnish classics which never lose favor. Americans would be amazed to learn that most Finns can actually name these patterns and many Finns can name the designers, too. Teema dinnerware can be found in thousands of Finnish homes.

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