Iittala's Kastehelmi collection is an iconic series of glassware that embodies timeless elegance and Scandinavian design. Created by Finnish designer Oiva Toikka in 1964, this collection takes its name from the Finnish word “kastehelmi”, meaning “dewdrop”. The name reflects his main inspiration: glistening dewdrops in the morning sun, evoking a natural, delicate beauty.
Origin & conception
The story of Kastehelmi is as practical as it is artistic. Oiva Toikka originally designed this pattern to solve a technical problem: masking the seam marks left by the pressed glass manufacturing process. He came up with the ingenious idea of adding circles of small glass bubbles in relief, which not only concealed these imperfections, but also created a unique texture and a captivating play of light. These raised “drops”, which extend from the center to the outside of the pieces, enhance the optical brilliance of the glass, creating a striking visual effect that sets Kastehelmi apart from other collections.
Features
The Kastehelmi collection features :
Distinctive design: Pressed glass bubble rings that evoke dewdrops.
Versatility: It includes a wide range of objects, from plates, bowls and glasses to photophores, serving dishes and storage jars.
Color palette: Initially offered in clear glass, the series has been enriched over time with nature-inspired hues such as moss green, navy blue, salmon pink and “calluna” mauve (named after the Nordic heather), offering a contemporary touch while remaining rooted in an organic aesthetic.
Tactility: reliefs make the pieces pleasant to hold, adding a sensory dimension to the design.
History
Launched in 1964, Kastehelmi was an immediate success, but production was discontinued in 1988. Faced with persistent demand from design enthusiasts, Iittala relaunched the collection in 2010, modernizing certain aspects while preserving its original essence. Since then, it has become one of the brand's most popular series, celebrating over 50 years of heritage.
Designer
Oiva Toikka (1931-2019) is one of the great personas of Finnish glass design. His imaginative, rich and bold glass art is a departure from mainstream Nordic design. Toikka’s individual style is also evident in the utility objects he creates as they often deviate from the traditional clean-lined puritanism of Finnish design aesthetics. In addition to glass, his artistic activities cover staging, fashion design and plastic interior design elements.
Toikka has gained a solid international reputation throughout his prolific career, which dates back to the 1950s, having worked with well-known designers and artists both in Finland and abroad. He has won several prestigious awards including the Kaj Franck Design Prize and the Prince Eugen Medal. In 1993, Toikka was given the honorary title of Professor of the Arts by the state of Finland. Birds by Toikka series combines the artist’s limitless imagination with his expertise in the characteristics of glass. The unique and colorful birds, which are all handmade, have become the passion of collector’s worldwide.
