Tuuli by Timo Sarpaneva

“Tuuli” Decanter with Stopper by Timo Sarpaneva (1926–2006) for Venini Murano, Italy, designed 1990, executed 1991

Designed in 1990 as part of Timo Sarpaneva’s celebrated collaboration with Venini, the Tuuli decanter embodies the Finnish designer’s lifelong pursuit of sculptural purity and technical innovation. Conceived during the final decade of his career, the series reflects the remarkable dialogue between Scandinavian minimalism and the exceptional craftsmanship of Murano glassmakers.

Composed of a deep black base supporting a luminous cobalt-blue body, delicately separated by a narrow band of clear crystal, the decanter is crowned by a contrasting black stopper whose elongated cylindrical form accentuates the elegant verticality of the composition. The restrained palette and perfectly balanced proportions transform a functional object into a refined sculptural presence.

Entirely hand-blown at the Venini furnace, the Tuuli series demonstrates the remarkable technical mastery required to achieve the seamless fusion of contrasting coloured glass while preserving the exceptional purity of the silhouette. The subtle dialogue between opaque and translucent glass, together with the precise relationship between volume and colour, reflects Sarpaneva’s enduring fascination with light, balance and form.

Engraved beneath the base “Venini 91 Sarpaneva”, this example was executed in 1991, during the earliest years of production of the series. The inscription precisely documents the date of manufacture and the collaboration between Timo Sarpaneva and the historic Venini furnace.

Today, the Tuuli decanter stands among the most iconic designs from Timo Sarpaneva’s Venetian period, perfectly illustrating his ability to unite the timeless restraint of Nordic design with the expressive richness and technical excellence of Murano glass.