Vintage glass sculpture by Helena Tynell for Riihimäki Glass, exemplifies the bold and geometric aesthetics of Brutalist design from the 1970s. The piece Metsä (Finnish for "Forest") features a dynamic composition of interlocking rectangular and angular forms, evoking a sense of almost architectural fragmentation. The clear glass, combined with embedded blue and green accents, adds depth and an organic touch, possibly symbolizing nature—trees, water, or moss—encased within rigid, structured forms.
The Brutalist influence is evident in its raw, almost industrial appearance, while the transparency of the glass contrasts with its rigid, block-like structure, creating a fascinating tension between delicacy and solidity.
Riihimäen Lasi Finland. 1970s. Dimensions: Length is 8 cm, Height is 5 cm. Excellent vintage condition. There is original gold plated foil with an image of a lynx.
Why buy vintage glass by Helena Tynell?
Tynell was a renowned designer and sculptor who worked with glass. For over 40 years, she was a designer at the Riihimäki Glass Factory. She became one of the first Finnish designers to gain international recognition. In 1954, Tynell's works were exhibited at the first Finnish design exhibition in New York.
Her decorative pieces and glass sculptures are displayed in the Finnish Glass Museum, as well as in museums in Germany and Belgium, where she also worked. Tynell's works are part of the collections of the Finnish and Austrian presidents' families, the Finnish Parliament, and Turku Castle.
