Unto Suominen Conical Vase w. Faceted Foot

A tall conical glass vase in indigo blue with an applied clear faceted foot, designed and made by master glassblower Unto Suominen for Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland, circa 1962.

Unto Suominen (1930–2004) was born in Riihimäki, a centre of Finnish glass production, and spent his entire career working within the industry, joining Nuutajärvi in 1944. Although primarily remembered as a master glassblower responsible for executing the designs of many leading names* in C20th glass, Suominen also began producing his own designs from the early 1960s.

This vase belongs to his relatively small and under-appreciated body of design work for Nuutajärvi. The gently flared body is hand-blown in vibrant indigo-blue glass, rising from a solid applied foot cut with multiple facets in clear crystal.

The numerous facets cut into the base catch and disperse light, creating a contrast between the visual weight of the dark blue body and the brilliance of the crystal clear foot. The effect lends the design a tension, as the upper section appears framed on a glowing pedestal -almost suspended above its base.

*As well as Finnish designers like Kaj Franck and Saara Hopea, Unto Suominen also worked with the likes of Dale Chihuly and Joseph Rossano.