Tapio Wirkkala 2507 ‘Ring-Neck’ Bottle

A decorative ‘Rengaskaula’ (Ring-Neck) Bottle, designed in 1959 by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland.

With its elongated body, gently sloping shoulders and applied ring of glass around the neck, the design appears to draw upon the familiar form of an antique bottle. This association is strengthened by the olive-green glass and deeply punted base, a feature traditionally associated with wine bottles. Wirkkala exaggerates the proportions of this familiar form to create something at once archaic and distinctly modern.

A trail of glass applied freely around the bottle's neck forms its principal decorative detail, and gives the design its name, 'Rengaskaula'. Below, the deep punt creates a pronounced dome of glass within the base, adding unexpected character to the restrained form.

Better known for his highly organic, textured ‘ice’ glass designs, Wirkkala takes a different approach here. The apparent simplicity of this design places greater emphasis on the rich olive-green hue, offering an appealing example of the designer's less numerous works in coloured glass.

This piece is particularly successful when displayed with the shorter model 2508.