Heikki Orvola, Pro Arte ‘Filigraani’ Art-Object, Nuutajärvi-Notsjö 1980’s

A turned free blown, cased glass, art-object using the filigrain technique. Designed by Heikki Orvola in the 1980’s and handmade by the craftsmen of the Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks in Finland.

The filigraani technique in glassmaking involves incorporating fine threads of colored glass—reminiscent of metal filigree—into the main body of the glass object. Orvola’s pieces were typically rotated while being blown, enabling graceful, spiral patterns to emerge throughout the clear or subtly colored body of the glass.

Orvola’s work in the Pro Arte series exemplifies the technique’s artistic potential. Created at Nuutajärvi between approximately 1981 and 1989, these pieces were signed (e.g., “H. Orvola Nuutajärvi”) and produced in small, limited batches, treating each glass object as a kind of mini artwork despite being part of a series.

This particular Art object is in very good condition and signed underneath the base in diamondpen: H. Orvola Nuutajärvi.

About Heikki Orvola

Heikki Orvola was born on November 29, 1943, in Helsinki, Finland. However, much of his formative youth was spent in Oulu. From 1963 to 1968, he studied ceramics at the Taideteollinen oppilaitos (now part of Aalto University), under prominent mentors such as Kyllikki Salmenhaara and Kaj Franck. Immediately after graduation in 1968, Kaj Franck personally invited Orvola to join the Nuutajärvi glassworks as a designer—an opportunity that would launch his distinguished career.

At Nuutajärvi (1968–1983), Orvola designed both mass-produced and unique glass pieces, including the Helmi, Herttua, Miranda, and Aurora collections, as well as the enduring Kivi candleholder (often referred to as “stones of light”).
In 1972, he transitioned to Iittala, where he introduced the Aurora glassware line. His iconic Kivi series debuted in 1987 and remains in production to this day.
From 1987 to 1993, Orvola served as a designer at Arabia, where he focused on tableware collections. Notable creations included Moreeni, Illusia (with decoration by Fujiwo Ishimoto), Lumi, 24h, and Taika. He further designed prestigious ceremonial dinnerware, such as the Festum and Finlandia sets (1998), and Fennica (2009).
Beyond glass and ceramics, Orvola explored other materials including cast iron, enamel, and textiles. Between 1984 and 2008, he created over twenty fabric patterns for Marimekko.

Orvola’s artistry extends to hand-made embroidery—pieces he describes as a “private pleasure” born from a personal need to engage in making by hand, beyond the design-oriented process of glass, which relies on glassblowers.
In 2018, the National Museum of Finland showcased his colorful embroidered works in a dedicated pop-up exhibition. In 2009, the Northern Ostrobothnia Museum held a retrospective of Orvola’s work, featuring nearly 400 pieces of his glass and ceramic creations, many of which he generously donated to their collection.
More recently, the exhibition Heikki Orvola – materiaalien virtuoosi (“virtuoso of materials”) ran at the Finnish Glass Museum in Riihimäki from May to October 2022. It presented over a hundred diverse works spanning glass, textiles, embroidery, enamel, and cast iron—offering a comprehensive view of his multifaceted output.

Orvola’s work has earned him the prestigious Pro Finlandia medal in 1984, the Order of the Lion of Finland, and the Kaj Franck Design Prize in 1998. In 2002, he was granted the honorary title of Professor for his significant contributions to design. Additional accolades include the Design Plus Award at the Ambiente fair in Frankfurt, the Formland Design Award, and recognition as an honorary member of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Heikki Orvola is celebrated as one of Finland’s most influential designers, revered for his ability to blend functionality, artistry, and a rich exploration of materials. His iconic creations like Aurora glass, Kivi candleholders, and 24h tableware endure in everyday use, while his less well-known embroidery and textile work reveal a personal and introspective creative dimension.
His designs are featured in museums worldwide—including MoMA (New York), Victoria & Albert Museum (London), Stedelijk (Amsterdam), Powerhouse Museum (Sydney), and The Corning Museum of Glass—highlighting his global impact and recognition.