THE STORY BEHIND

The Aalto (Savoy) Vase

n WHO DESIGNED IT? Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) who is famous for the Paimio sanatorium in Finland, the Viipuri library in Russia and the Essen Opera House in Germany. n A MAN OF MANY TALENTS? Absolutely. He designed furniture as well. n WHEN WAS THE VASE

MADE? He created it in 1936 and his glass collection was presented at the Paris World Exhibition in 1937. Visitors marvelled at the simple, curved form of the design. n WHY SAVOY? It was made for a restaurant in Helsinki, called the Savoy. n WHAT WAS THE VASE INSPIRED BY? Waves, or ‘aalto’ in Finnish. Aalto was influenced by shapes found in nature. The vases are still mouth blown at Iittala glassworks in southern Finland. n HOW MUCH ARE THEY? The Aalto vases are from £89 at Skandium, skandium.com.