Kaj Franck 249 'Pilari' Vase

A model KF 249 'Pilari' vase, designed by Kaj Franck in 1958 for Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland.

Few designers shaped Finland's post-war design identity as profoundly as Franck. Renowned for his uncompromising Modernism and functional approach to design, he created objects that stripped away excess in favour of clarity, proportion, and purpose. While best known for his influential domestic wares, these same principles are evident in his more sculptural glassworks, including the celebrated Pilari series.

The KF 249 is a substantial and architectural piece, expertly turn-moulded, cased, and cut into a hexagonal form. The shape of the vase embodies Franck's Modernist aesthetic whilst being highly considerate to the material, glass, by exploiting its refractive and reflective properties.

The thick crystal base captures and refracts light, creating shifting reflections, shadows, and flashes of colour that animate the vase from every angle. The play of light is amplified by the impressive clarity of the glass itself. In high contrast to the base, the main body of the glass is a deep navy blue colour.

Illustrated in the 1958 Nuutajärvi Notsjö catalogue, the Pilari series represented some of the most ambitious and technically demanding glass produced by the factory during the period. Resultantly, Pilari vases were, by far, the most expensive designs by Kaj Franck at the time. For perspective, this vase cost more than three KF 1500 'Kremlin Bell' double decanters.