For the birds

Lately I've developed a fascination for the glass birds designed by Oiva Toikka (1931- ). First produced by Iittala in 1973 at their Nuutajärvi factory, they fall a little outside the parameters most of us set for mid-century dates, but I still think they look gorgeous on a MCM shelf or table.

Toikka was trained in ceramics but has designed textiles for Marimekko and has worked as a stage and costume designer as well. Toikka has described his work by saying, ”Baroque is exactly the right word to describe my work – after all, one of the word’s original meanings is an irregular pearl."

The birds range in size from the tiny Puffballs that measure 2 3/4" x 2" and sell in the $100 range to the massive pieces that measure over a foot in length, like the Festive Pheasant that measures in at 9 3/4" x 15" and sells for well over $1000.

I saw one of the birds on eBay a couple of days ago at $5.99, but the price immediately soared to $152.50, which is still considered a low price. One of these days I'll find one tucked away at an antique mall or thrift store for $10, and I'll scoop it up. Hundreds of dollars is more than I'm willing to pay.

Green ibis, 6 1/2" x 8 1/4"
artatheart.co.uk

Barnacle goose, 8 1/2" x 14"
museumofglassstore.org

Bullfinch, 4 1/8" x 3"
counterpointhome.com

Common male teal, 4" x 6 1/2"
irenesfavoritethings.com

Small loon, 9 1/2" x 6 1/2"
upnorthsundries.com

Eagle, 11" x 10 3/4"
stylendesign.co.uk

Puffballs, 2 3/4" x 2"
museumofglassstore.org

Oiva Toikka with Festive Pheasant, 9 3/4" x 15"
go.nbm.org