Vintage Bark Glass

Timo Sarpaneva "Festivo" Candle Holders


Textured glass was a big trend in the late 1960s and 1970s, which was a time that Scandinavian designers, who were obsessed with wood, had a huge influence on design. As a whole, these pieces can be referred to as " Bark Glass".

The first glass factory in Iittala village was founded in 1881. During the years the factory has produced everything from simple glassware for domestic use to renowned design glass made by well-known Finnish designers such as Tapio Wirkkala, Kaj Franck and Timo Sarpaneva.



In The Manner Of Tapio Wirkkala

In the Manner of Tapio Wirkkala

As this glassware gained in popularity in the 1970s, other companies were keeping up with the Trend. Jeannette Glass became known for their more traditional style glassware, but for a short time in the early '70s, the company was also creating pieces in a "Bark Glass" pattern. All of these pieces are "mold blown" which is what creates that wonderful texture.

Vintage Textured Glass Apple Bowls Marked,"Italy"

These Bark glass, apple shaped bowls are each marked "Italy", but follow the same Scandinavian trend. All of the above pieces we have in the shop at the moment are clear glass, but the Bark Glass trend did not stop there. These pieces can be found in amber colored and green glass just as easily.

Amber Bark Glass

Green Bark Glass

There are also some more rare colored pieces that can be found in cobalt and amethyst.

Amethyst Bark Glass

Cobalt Bark Glass

As trends tend to come and go, the bark glass of the late 1960s and 1970s is starting to surface again, and is being proudly displayed in modern settings.