Leaf Dish 1959

Tapio Wirkkala designed this Leaf Dish made of glass sometime between 1946 and 1985. Wirkkala's designs often reflect his deep connection to the Finnish landscape, embodying organic forms and natural materials. Finland's unique position—bordered by both the East and West—shaped its cultural identity, with designers like Wirkkala navigating influences from both regions. This dish encapsulates the fluid boundary between art and craft, mass production and unique creation. The glass takes the form of a leaf, a poignant symbol considering the legacy of deforestation. The natural world offers itself up for human use, yet what remains when we’ve taken too much? The delicacy of the glass amplifies this tension, as something so beautiful can also be so fragile. The dish invites us to consider our relationship with nature, reminding us of the beauty we stand to lose, and inspiring a deeper connection to the environment.