A glass art-object “Panther”, model SH 100 – Nuutajärvi-Notsjö Finland 1957 1957

Saara Hopea

Glass
16 cm, ø 7 cm
ConditionVery good
€ 1.450

Van Kerkhoff Art

• About the artwork
  A free-blown, clear glass Art-object withn moss-green spots “Panther”, model SH 100. Designed by Saara Hopea in 1954 and executed by Nuutajärvi-Notsjö in 1957.
  
  The ‘Panther’ or ‘Pantteri’ art-objects were made in two variants, the SH 100 and SH 109. This object is a model SH 100 which is cylindrical in form. These objects were made between 1954 and 1961 in two sizes and either made with moss-green spots or lilac spots.
  
  This particular example is in very good condition and is marked and dated in diamond pen underneath the base: S. Hopea Nuutajärvi-Notsjö ’57.
  
  
  
  
  
  About Saara Hopea
  Saara Elisabet Hopea (Porvoo 1925 – Porvoo 1984) was a Finnish designer of Art-glass, furniture and jewellery.
  
  Saara Hopea was born in 1925 in Porvoo, in the south of Finland. Her parents Ossian Hopea and Lempi Westerlund owned a goldsmithing company.
  
  After attending secondary school, Hopea studied at the Interior Design Department of the Central School of Art and Design, now the Aalto University of Art and Design.
  
  She graduated in 1946, and worked for a few years as an illustrator, then she accepted a job at the lighting factory of Taito Oy, headed by the renowned designer Paavo Tynell.
  
  In the early 1950’s, Saara Hopea became interested in glass design and started working at the Nuutajärvi glass factory, where she worked under artistic director Kaj Franck.
  
  After her father’s death, Saara Hopea took over the direction of the family business Ossian Hopea Oy in 1959. She worked as the artistic director from 1959 to 1960 and again from 1967 and was responsible for numerous jewellery designs.
  
  In 1960 Saara Hopea married Oppi Untracht , an American goldsmith, photographer and writer, and they moved to New York City. Together with her husband, Saara Hopea also lived in Nepal and in India over the years until 1967, after which the couple settled permanently in Porvoo.
  
  For her glass designs, Saara Hopea received a silver medal at the Milan Triennials in both 1954 and 1957. She also received the Porvoo City Culture Prize in 1981 and the State Arts and Crafts Prize in 1982.
  
  Her retrospective exhibition was held at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Helsinki in 1987. 28 of her works are in the collection of The British Museum in London and the MoMa in New York holds 11 of her works.
  
  Marked
  Marked in diamondpen underneath the base: S. Hopea Nuutajärvi-Notsjö '57 (1957)
  
  Execution
  Nuutajärvi-Notsjö glassworks, Finland 1957
  
  Condition
  This Art-object is in good vintage condition. Basic wear consistent with age and use. No chips or cracks.
  
  Literature
  Oppi Untracht – Saara Hopea-Untracht: her life and work. P 98 (illustrated), P 303
  
  Dimensions
  Height 16 cm
  Diameter 7,5 cm
• About the artist

  Saara Hopea had a prolific career in various design fields, leaving a significant mark on the Finnish artistic landscape of the 1950s. Her journey began in the realm of furniture design, where she honed her skills from 1946 to 1948. Seeking new opportunities, she then joined forces with renowned metalsmith Paavo Tynell's company, where she worked until 1952.

  During this time, she contributed to the Nuutajärvi glassworks, where her creations became a shining embodiment of the minimalist aesthetic that defined Finnish style in the 1950s, influenced by the principles of the Bauhaus design philosophy. Notably, after her father's passing in 1948, she took on the task of designing silverware for his shop in Porvoo.

  A turning point in Hopea's life occurred when she married and relocated to New York with her husband. It was here that she embarked on a new artistic path, exploring the realm of enamel work. Through her experimentation with overfiring transparent enamels on copper, she achieved remarkable results that bestowed her pieces with a spontaneous and painterly appearance, characterized by vibrant colors and remarkable depth. Her exquisite enamel creations found their way into the hands of discerning patrons through exclusive shops.

  The couple's thirst for knowledge and artistic inspiration led them to embark on a remarkable journey through Nepal and India, spanning four years. During this time, they immersed themselves in the study, photography, and collection of local metalwork and jewelry. In 1997, her husband, deeply influenced by their experiences, published "Traditional Jewelry of India," a testament to their exploration and appreciation of the region's rich artistic heritage. In 1967, they returned to Porvoo, where Hopea's artistic endeavors encompassed a wide range of disciplines, including silversmithing, textile design, and enameling.

  The impact of Saara Hopea's talent and artistry extends beyond Finland's borders. The British Museum boasts a collection of 28 of her works, while the Museum of Modern Art holds 11 precious items, testament to her enduring legacy. In 1988, her husband published a comprehensive account of her life and work titled "Saara Hopea-Untracht: Life and Work," shining a light on the remarkable artistic journey of this tranquil Scandinavian visionary.

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