Kerttu Nurminen 'Saaren Neidot' Vase

A tall smoke-grey 'Saaren Neidot' vase, designed by Kerttu Nurminen for Iittala, Finland, in 2001.

'Saaren Neidot' is a beautifully simple design, its tall body gently narrowing at the waist before opening into a broad, softly flared mouth. The resulting silhouette is fluid and sculptural, with the subtle curves giving a sense of movement to an otherwise restrained form.

The vase was produced in a number of colours, each allowing the simplicity of the form to take precedence. In this particularly elegant smoke-grey version, the muted glass accentuates the form of the vessel, shifting from pale translucent grey to deeper tones around its curves.

Designed towards the end of Nurminen's long career with Nuutajärvi and Iittala, 'Saaren Neidot' demonstrates her continued interest in the expressive possibilities of blown glass. Produced using a rotational blowing technique, the vase combines a deceptively simple profile with the craftsmanship so characteristic of Finnish glassmaking.