Description
Saara Hopea was a Finnish designer known for her glassware and jewellery. After graduating as a furniture designer in 1946, she worked for Majander Oy and later Taito Oy, where she prepared lighting designs by Paavo Tynell.
In 1951, Kaj Franck hired Hopea at the Nuutajärven lasitehdas to assist with glass design. They became close colleagues, sharing a vision of creating objects for “a more beautiful everyday life”, while also producing colourful one-of-a-kind art glass. Hopea’s glass designs received awards at the Milan Triennale, including the stackable drinking glass 1718 and Flamingo liqueur glasses.
In 1959–60, Hopea became artistic director of her family’s jewellery business and learned jewellery-making techniques. She moved to New York in 1960, where she continued her artistic work, including enamel art and brass objects inspired by traditional Finnish straw mobiles. After returning to Finland in 1967, she continued as artistic director of the family company, focusing on jewellery and textile art.
The decanter and shot glasses are in good condition.
Production years: The decanter late 1950s to late 1960s, and glasses 1956-1971
Designer: Saara Hopea (1925-1984)
Brand: Nuutajärvi
Material and color: Mold-blown glass. The decanter is dark blue with clear handle and dark blue cap. The cocktail glasses are red.
Observations of the decanter: Minor light wear on the surface and on the bottom of the decanter (visible only in certain angle of light), light scratch on the neck (visible only in certain angle of light). Light scratching on the cap (visible only in certain angle of light), and a small most likely production-based chip at the bottom edge of the cap. See more details in the pictures.
Observations of the glasses: All glasses are intact and in very good condition. The glasses feature the characteristic irregularities, waviness, and air bubbles typical of glassware produced in the 1960s. Minor light wear in some of the glasses (visible only in certain angle of light). See more details in the pictures.
Sizes (approximately):
The decanter:
Height with the cap 21,5 cm
Height without the cap 16,5 cm
The widest point of the decanter’s body 11 cm
Capacity 80 cl
The cocktail glass:
Height 4,5 cm
The widest point 5,5 cm
Capacity 6 cl
Weight of the whole set 1,023 kg
