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Kaj Franck Nuutajarvi

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Kaj Franck Kremlin Bells Double Decanter
By Kaj Franck
Located in San Mateo, CA
Decanter designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notjso. All three pieces of this are a smoke color
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Cork

Glass and Iron Chandelier by Kaj Franck Notsjo for Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
) Literature: Kaj Franck Universaaleja muotoja, Design museo, 2011. Page 324, picture 183.
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Art Glass

Kremlin Bells Blown Glass Double Decanter by Kaj Franck Mod. KF 1500, 1959
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Finland, 1959. Designed by Kaj Franck and manufactured by Nuutajärvi Notsjö. Green, plum purple
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass

Kaj Franck 1911-1989 for Nuutajärvi, Five Luna Dinner Plates in Green Glass
Located in København, Copenhagen
Kaj Franck (1911-1989) for Nuutajärvi. Five Luna dinner plates in green mouth-blown art glass
Category

Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Kaj Frank Glass 2744 Series
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in New York, NY
Set of blown glass vessels from the 2744 series, designed by Kaj Franck and produced by Nuutajarvi
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Barware

Materials

Blown Glass, Glass

Kaj Franck Goblet
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in New York, NY
Multicolor cylindrical glass goblet designed by Kaj Franck and produced by Nuutajarvi Notsjo c
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

7 Kaj Franck Nuutajarvi of Finland Glass Sculptures 1954
Located in St. Louis, MO
blueish in photos, but they are clear. Designed by Kaj Franck and made by Nuutajarvi of Finland. They are
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Glass Art-Object Trophy Handblown Green Blue
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Art-object "Pokaali" (Trophy), Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland circa 1975 Emerald green
Category

Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Glass Art-Object Trophy Handblown Orange Blue
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
stem. Designed by Kaj Franck in 1972, executed by the Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks circa 1975. These
Category

Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Art-Object "Ruutana", Model KF 226, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland, 1954
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck - Art-object "Ruutana", model KF 226 - Nuutajärvi-Notsjö Finland 1954 Artist Kaj Franck
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass, Glass, Art Glass

Kaj Franck Decanter for Nuutajarvi
By Kaj Franck
Located in New York, NY
Decanter in dark gray glass with gray and black striped stopper, 1963.
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Kaj Franck Scandinavian Modern Green Glass Art-Object Carp 1961 Handmade Finland
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
– Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 61 (1961) and is in very good condition. Artist Kaj Franck (Vyborg, Finland 1911
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass, Glass, Art Glass

Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Nottsjo Finland Liquor Set, 1962
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in Amherst, NH
1962, 12 piece liquor set designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Nottsjo, Finland. All pieces are
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Bowl Set by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi Notsjö
By Kaj Franck
Located in JM Haarlem, NL
Franck for Nuutajärvi Notsjö. Please ask me for the shipping conditions. The height of the bucket is 8
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Serving Bowls

Soap Bubble by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi, 1950s, Glass Vase
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in Munster, NRW
This olive colored vase of glass called the soap bubble was designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass

Kaj Franck Scandinavian Modern handblown yellow glass Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1961
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck Scandinavian Modern handblown yellow glass Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1961 A tapered oval shaped
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Art Glass Bowl Vase Pookali by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi, Finland, 1960s
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely colorful pocal shaped goblet art bowl or vase designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Clear yellow glass Art-Object, Model KF234, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1961
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Clear & yellow glass Art-Object, Model KF234, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1961 Artist Kaj Franck
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Largest Size "Usva" Art-Object, Model KF106, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1960
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Largest size "Usva" art-object, model KF106, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1960 Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Glass Art-Object "Prisma", Model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1964
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, glass art-object "Prisma", model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1964 Artist: Kaj Franck
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Kaj Franck, Glass Art-Object "Prisma", Model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1959
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, glass art-object "Prisma", model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1959 Artist: Kaj Franck
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Kaj Franck, Grey-Green Art-Object, Model KF260, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland, 1962
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, grey-green Art-Object, Model KF260, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland, 1962. Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Glass Art-Object "Willowleaf", Model KF 210, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1954
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Glass Art-Object "Willowleaf", Model KF 210, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1954 Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Lovely Art glass/Wine glass Pookali by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi, Finland, 1960s
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Stockholm, SE
A perfect colorful pocal shaped goblet art glass designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi, Finland
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Green Glass Art-Object, Model N 407, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland 1967
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck - Green glass Art-object, model N 407 - Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland, 1967 Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Cut Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck - a Glass Art-Object "Pilari", Model Kf 249 - Nuutajärvi-notsjö 1959
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck - A glass art-object "Pilari", model KF 249 - Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1959 Artist Kaj Franck
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Clear Blue Glass Art-Object, Model KF 234, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1962
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck – Clear and Blue glass Art object / Vase, model KF 234 – Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Clear Green Glass Art-Object, Model Kf 234, Nuutajärvi-notsjö 1961
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck – Clear and green glass Art object / Vase, model KF 234 – Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Deep Blue Glass Art-Object, Model KF 266, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1962
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Deep blue glass Art-Object, Model KF 266, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1962 Artist: Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Kaj Franck, Cased Blue Glass Art-Object, Model KF 234, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1961
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck – Cased blue glass art-object, model KF 234 – Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1961. Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Kaj Franck, Matched Set Green Art-Objects, Model KF 260, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1960
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Matched set green Art-Objects, Model KF 260, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1960 Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Purple glass Art-Object, Model KF 295, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, ca. 1965
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck - Purple glass Art-Object, Model KF 295, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, ca. 1965 Artist: Kaj Franck
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Kaj Franck, Glass Art-Object "Prisma", Model Kf 215, Nuutajärvi-notsjö, C. 1965
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, glass art-object "Prisma", model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, circa 1965 Artist: Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Kaj Franck, a "Prisma" Glass Art-Object, Model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1963
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, A "Prisma" glass art-object, model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1963 Artist: Kaj
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Two Sizes "Usva" Art-Object, Model KF106, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1950 s
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Two sizes "Usva" Art-Object, Model KF106, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1950's Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Three sizes "Usva" Art-Object, Model KF106, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1950 s
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Three sizes "Usva" Art-Object, Model KF106, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1950's Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Sommerso Vase by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi Notjsö Oy
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in Cologne, DE
Rare Sommerso vase by Kaj Franck for Nuutäjarvi-Nottsjö from 1962. Condition: very good
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck Artglass Object KF262 green Handblown 1963
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck Artglass Object KF262 green Handblown 1963 A fixed mould blown
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck, Artglass Object, "Lancet" Blue, Handblown, 1963
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, A blue and clear artglass object "Lancet", Model KF218, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland 1963
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Two Glass Chestnut Art-Objects Black Handblown
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
" (chestnut), model KF211. Designed by Kaj Franck in 1952 and executed by the Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Scandinavian Modern Kaj Franck Glass Art Bowl Handblown Lightblue circa 1965
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck in 1960, executed by the Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks circa 1965. These art-objects
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Mid Century Modern Kaj Franck Artglass Object KF260 green Handblown circa 1965
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
clear glass art-object, model KF260. Designed by Kaj Franck in 1960, and executed by the Nuutajärvi
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Midcentury Modern Kaj Franck Glass Art-Object Vase Pilari Handblown Finland 1959
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
turquoise hues. Designed by Kaj Franck in 1958 and executed by the Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks, Finland in
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Mid Century Kaj Franck Glass Art Vase Prisma Handblown Purple Turquoise 1957
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, glass art-object "Prisma", model KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1957. Artist: Kaj
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Mid Century Kaj Franck Largest Size Glass Art Vase Prisma Yellow Blue Handblown
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, Largest size art-object "Prisma", KF 215, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, 1962 A free blown
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Mid Century Kaj Franck Green Art Glass Vase Handblown partly etched Finland 1963
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in EL Waalre, NL
. Designed by Kaj Franck in 1963 and executed by the Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks, Finland in that same year
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

1968 Kaj Franck Kremlin Bells Double Decanter with Signed 1962 Decanter
By Kaj Franck
Located in Chicago, IL
Decanter designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi Notjso. This is signed on the bottom and dated '68
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Art Glass

Set of 12 "Morning in Athens" Sculptures by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi-Notsjö
By Kaj Franck, Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare Large set of hand blown glass hanging sound sculptures, in original tubing some with paper labels, design in 1955
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Six Glasses by Kaj Franck
Located in New York, NY
Six tumblers in teal glass designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi, ca 1954, retaining orignal paper
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Barware

Bullseye Red, White and Blue Hand Blown Glass Charger
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in New York, NY
hot pink center. By Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi-Notsjo. Swedish, circa 1960.
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Platters and Serveware

Materials

Blown Glass

Kaj Franck, Clear and Purple Glass Art-object, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö Finland, 1960
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck – Clear and purple glass Art object / Vase – Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks, 1960
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Signed Kaj Franck Goblet for Nuutajarvi Notsjo
By Kaj Franck
Located in Papaikou, HI
. Has original silver foil label from Nuutajarvi Notsjo.
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Decanter by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi Notjsö Oy
By Kaj Franck
Located in Cologne, DE
The finnish designer Kaj Franck worked for manufacturers like Iittala, Arabia or Nuutajärvi. For
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Three Vases by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi, Finland
By Kaj Franck
Located in New York, NY
Kaj Franck for Nuutäjarvi-Nottsjö 1. Goblet vase in blue glass, 1964. Height 7" (18cm
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass

"Kremlin Bells" Decanter by Kaj Franck for Nuutajarvi
By Kaj Franck
Located in New York, NY
"Kremlin Bells" decanter in three pieces, pale gray and dark blue-gray glass, 1960.
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Bottles

Materials

Art Glass

Kaj Franck, Green Glass Art-Object, Model KF108, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland 1954
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, green glass art-object, Model KF108, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, Finland 1954 Artist Kaj Franck
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Cut Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Kaj Franck Glass Art-Object / Goblet, Model KF539, Nuutajärvi-notsjö, circa 1975
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Kaj Franck
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Kaj Franck, glass Art-Object / Goblet, model KF539, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö, circa 1975 Artist Kaj
Category

Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

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Kaj Franck Nuutajarvi For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal kaj franck nuutajarvi for your home. Each kaj franck nuutajarvi for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using glass, art glass and blown glass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer kaj franck nuutajarvi, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right kaj franck nuutajarvi, those designed in Scandinavian Modern, Mid-Century Modern and Modern styles are of considerable interest. A well-made kaj franck nuutajarvi has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Kaj Franck are consistently popular.

How Much is a Kaj Franck Nuutajarvi?

Prices for a kaj franck nuutajarvi can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $200 and can go as high as $8,200, while the average can fetch as much as $800.

Kaj Franck for sale on 1stDibs

Kaj Gabriel Franck was a leading figure in 20th-century Finnish design, specializing in ceramics and glass. As the creative director of Arabia Ceramics, now part of Iittala, he, along with fellow Finns Timo Sarpaneva and Tapio Wirkkala, helped popularize the bright, warm and curvy aesthetic of Scandinavian modernism. Design Forum Finland’s Kaj Franck Design Prize, established in 1992 and awarded each year around his birthday, is among the country’s most prestigious honors for designers.

Franck was born in 1911 in the city of Vyborg, which now belongs to Russia, but was then part of the Grand Duchy of Finland. He studied furniture design at the Central School of Industrial Design in Helsinki, and after graduating in 1932, worked as a catalogue illustrator for the Riihimäki glassworks, exploring interior and textile design on the side. 

Having served in the Finnish armed forces during World War II, Franck joined Arabia in 1945 as their head of design. He remained with the company for many years, steering its line of tableware in a dynamic new direction. Franck professed an aversion to superfluous ornament. His ceramic designs were nevertheless complex and eye-catching, animated with playful, geometric forms. One of his most famous creations for Arabia was the Origami dish from the early 1960s, a glossy all-white serving piece resembling a subtly folded piece of paper with four shallow sections for holding food.

Although his Arabia ceramics became household staples for consumers in Scandinavia and beyond, Franck is better known among collectors for his glass designs, particularly those he created for Iittala starting in the late 1940s. In a 1947 Iittala-sponsored glass competition, Franck shared the top prize with Tapio Wirkkala. In 1950, he designed the company’s iconic Kartio series of pressed-glass pitchers and glasses, which came in different colors that consumers could “mix and match” rather than having to buy a homogeneous set. In 1977, Franck redesigned the series, renamed Teemaa.

Franck’s designs for Iittala embodied the Finnish concept of pelkistetty, which literally means “reduced” and in the design world refers to the pared-down, minimal qualities of modernism. This principle, evidenced in objects like his elegant, unfussy sets of jewel-toned drinking glasses from the 1960s, informed Franck’s view of the manufacturing process as well. Critical of mass production and consumerism, he was one of the country’s first professionals in his field to advocate recycling. He became known as the “conscience of Finnish design,” a role he embraced as a professor and later artistic director at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki. 

In honor of Franck’s 100th birthday, in 2011, Iittala reissued Kartio glasses, Teema tableware and Purnukka jars, among other of his designs that retain their contemporary feel decades after their creation.

Find vintage Kaj Franck glass, vases and other furniture and decor on 1stDibs.