art-design

Riihimäki Glassworks In 1910, the duo of A. Kohlemianen and his son, A. P. Kolehmainen, joined forces with industrial entrepreneur H. G. Paloheimo to establish Riihimäki glassworks. Initially crafting simple household glassware, the enterprise quickly evolved, venturing into refined household glassware and crystal glass by 1911. Breaking new ground, Riihimäki became the pioneer among Finnish ... Read more

The Ahlström Collection & Rafael Ahlström (1877–1918) Rafael was the family’s second-oldest son. He was active in the family business and served as procurator and manager at the Noormarkku plant and the company’s second director and board member. Despite his dedication to the family business, Tyra describes Rafael in her memoirs to be more interested ... Read more

Tapio Wirkkala & A-studio Tapio Wirkkala's glass design career began when he won the Karhula-Iittala glass design competition in 1946. The following year, Iittala recognized his talents and hired Wirkkala as a full-time designer, thrusting his glass designs into the limelight at several exhibitions. His great breakthrough occurred at the LX Milan Triennale in 1951, ... Read more

Iittala glassworks In 1881, Peter Magnus Abrahamsson established a glassworks in Iittala and started the tale of evolution unfolding as Iittala evolved from an independent entity to a pivotal player in the glass industry. In 1917 the Iittala Glassworks changed ownership, becoming part of the A. Ahlstrom Corporation, which at that time was already the ... Read more

Karhula Glassworks Established in the year 1889, the start of the Karhula Glassworks can be credited to William Ruth (1839-1913), who had previously acquired the Karhula steam Sawmill in 1881. The glassworks became the property of A. Ahlstrom Corporation in 1915 with the acquisition of Karhula Oy. Initially specializing in the production of bottles and ... Read more