iittala Ultima Thule Anniversary Salad Plate

2015 marked the a century since Tapio Wirkkala's birth, and this dewdrop-kissed plate is the perfect commemoration and celebration of his life and works. In classic literature, Ultima Thule is used to reference the furthest possible place in the world. The 1968 Ultima Thule Glassware similarly references the icy cold reaches of Scandinavia and the distinct expressive power of glass as a medium. The unique melting texture of these pieces are achieved through specialized molds, the first of which were made by Wirkkala himself. Though a break from the typical clean-lined nature of Nordic design, the extraordinary collection gained popularity after being used on Finnair's first flights between Helsinki and New York. Iittala Ultima Thule is still loved today by modern and traditional enthusiasts for its timeless quality and charm.