Riihimaki/Riihimaen (Finland) - Nanny Still (b:1926-d:2009)

Nanny Still was born in Helsinki in Finland in 1926 and started designing for Riihimaki in 1949. She died on May 7 2009.


'Flindari' tumblers designed by Nanny Still and in production 1964-68.

Kometti vase by Nanny Still.

1960s Nanny Still designed "Rex" Decanter

Nebulosa

Country House Series

I came across this piece by Nanny Still in the most bizarre location a few months ago. I had trouble researching it at first and still have not been able to get a lot of info. A specialist in Finnish glass in NYC told me its an exceptionally rare piece, but could tell me no more. I'm assuming he thinks its rare because he has never encountered it. The only other example in this style I can find is a vase at the MOMA and it is called a "Siren Vase." It was a gift of the Finnish Minister of Commerce and Industry to MOMA in 1955.

My piece is etched signed on the bottom "N Still Riihimäen Lasi Oy." My piece is done in crystal, as you see below and is approx. 3.5 inches high. There is a controlled bubble aperture at the top. I'm trying to figure out if this would be an extremely tiny vase or (more likely) a candle holder for those extra slender candles the Finns seem to be fond of. The piece at the MOMA is referred to as a vase an appears to be about double the size of my piece and is done in a dark charcoal/ smoke glass.

My piece:


Here is the link to the Siren vase at the MOMA.

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/210009153?rpp=20&pg=1&rndkey=20130106&ft=*&deptids=21&where=Finland&who=Nanny+Still&pos=3

I'm curious if anyone out there has more info on Nanny's work or has come across the siren vase or other pieces done in this style. Also any collectors of Finnish glass who could give an educated guess on its purpose - because I can only think of a candle holder or a tiny, tiny bud vase.

Thanks!

I am not sure who made this piece any help would be awesome. Thanks.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f18/19/28/40/24/img_0212.jpg

Very nice.

Riihimaen Lasi, I guess a bowl, called Fontana and designed by Nanny Still: http://www.designlasi.com/en/content/fontana-1417-still-nanny-en

John