A tall perfectly cylindrical Model 1609 Cocktail Pitcher designed by Finland's most influential industrial designer Kaj Franck. Without a doubt, this design shows Francks interest in laboratory glass.
A still life image showing a ruby red model 1609 cylindrical shaped carafe by Kaj Franck surround by other brightly coloured glass designs that are also the work of Kaj Franck. The latter include a Kremlin Bell juice decanter and water pitcher in dark-smoke-green, purple and yellow, a green Kartio drinking glass and a purple model KF 245 vase or candlestick.
A straight sided cylindrical shaped ruby red glass cocktail pitcher carafe designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi glassworks, Finland, in the mid-1950s.
Close up showing the sculptural chair worked hand tooled lip of a ruby red glass carafe, model 1609, designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notsjo in 1954.
A tall cylindrical Kaj Franck cocktail pitcher from Nuutajarvi Notsjo glasswork in Finland, designed in 1954
Side view of labatory glass inspired cocktail pitcher designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notsjo glassworks in Finland, 1954, showing original paper black label.
Close up of Nuutajarvi Notsjo Finland paper fish shaped label on a Kaj Franck ruby red glass 1609 pitcher or carafe
close-up image of a vibrant ruby red glass coktail pitcher designed by kaj Franck in 1954
Inside of Kaj Franck 1609 carafe
Side view of modernist 1609 carafe by Kaj Franck, handblown from ruby red glass at Nuutajarvi Notsjo glassworks, Finland, 1954
Base of Kaj Franck pitcher 1609
Milan Triennale grand prix winner 1957. Modernist cocktail pitcher designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notsjo, Finland.
Kaj Franck Red 1609 Pitcher
Kaj Franck Red 1609 Pitcher
Kaj Franck Red 1609 Pitcher
Kaj Franck Red 1609 Pitcher
Detail of old paper black nuutajarvi notsjo suomi finland sticker, 1950s, on red Kaj Franck glass pitcher
Milan Triennale 1957 Grand Prix winner by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notsjo ruby red 1609 pitcher or carafe with original sticker
A collection of Kaj Franck mid-century scandinavian modernist glass items designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notsjo Finland, including 1609 pitcher and a Kremlin Bells decanter in coloured glass
Stunning deep red glass 1609 pitcher designed by kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notsjo, Finland, inspired by labatory glass and designed in 1954
Nuutajärvi Notsjö

Kaj Franck Red 1609 Pitcher

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Kaj Franck was paramount in the development of Finland's modern aesthetic during the mid-20th century. He is best known for his functional homewares in glass and ceramics, which exploit both the practicality and beauty of crisp, clean geometry.

This ruby red coloured glass pitcher, with minimalist cylindrical form, was designed by Kaj Franck in 1954. The simple yet beautiful design won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale in 1957. 

The modernist design, inspired by laboratory glass, was hand-blown by the expert makers at Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland, between 1954-1965. 

Despite being almost 70 years old, the pitcher, along with many of Franck's other utilitarian wares, are still influencing product design today whilst fitting easily into a contemporary interior setting. A true testament to the enduring success of the thoroughly modern yet essential forms created by Kaj Franck.

Glass is coloured by mixing metals into the molten glass: iron for green, copper for turquoise, for example, but red glass is achieved with gold. It's for this reason that the red colourway of each Nuutajärvi design is always more difficult to find than any other; the red version was always more expensive to make & purchase at the time, therefore less were produced. 

Model number: 1609

Model Name: Pitcher

Designer: Kaj Franck 

Manufacturer: Nuutajärvi Notsjö 

Year of Design: 1954

Dates Produced: 1954-65

Colour: Ruby Red

Height: 23 cm, Diameter 8 cm

Condition: Good vintage condition. Some wear & deeper scratches to the side. 

Branding: Nuutajärvi Notsjö paper sticker.