Oiva Toikka (Finnish, 1931-2019), Four Art Glass Birds

Contemporary, for Iittala, including a large long billed satin bird with pulled feather motif; a blue and green spotted bird with white body; a yellow pulled feather bird; and a deep ruby red bird with opalescent spots, signed. Largest 7 x 12 x 5 in. Toikka launched his iconic glass bird collection in 1972 as a playful, colorful rebellion against the strict, clean-lined functionalism dominating Nordic design at the time. He famously noted, "I trust in accidents and misunderstandings," giving master glassblowers freedom to experiment with colors, shapes, and textures. The birds came to life through a close, hands-on partnership between Toikka and skilled glassblowers at the glassworks, using a fusion of traditional mouth-blowing and hand-shaping techniques. By the 1980s, gifting an Iittala glass bird became a cherished Finnish tradition to honor major life and workplace anniversaries. Formalized as Birds by Toikka in 1996, the flock expanded to over 600 distinct species, annual editions, and collector pieces produced through Iittala. Good estate condition.

Estimate:£113.42

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