Iittala is one of Finland's best-known design brands and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in Nordic collectible glass.

The company has a long history of working with Finnish designers and glassmakers, producing both functional tableware and highly sculptural objects.

Among collectors, pieces associated with designers such as Timo Sarpaneva, Tapio Wirkkala, Kaj Franck, and Nanny Still are particularly interesting.

What makes Iittala collectible?

Collectors often look for:

• Early production
• Discontinued designs
• Rare colours
• Unusual sizes
• Designer pieces
• Original labels
• Excellent condition

Some series are much more common than others, so learning to identify individual models is important.

Tapio by Timo Sarpaneva

One particularly recognisable Iittala collection is Tapio, designed by Timo Sarpaneva.

The series is known for its distinctive bubble-like detail in the stem and its elegant Scandinavian form.

Vintage examples can be especially attractive to collectors because they combine a very recognisable design with practical functionality.

When buying older Iittala glass, always look closely at the base and any labels or markings.

Kastehelmi by Oiva Toikka

Another iconic Finnish design is Kastehelmi, designed by Oiva Toikka.

The name refers to "dew drops," reflecting the characteristic raised droplets around the surface of the glass.

The pattern is instantly recognisable and has become one of the most enduring examples of Finnish glass design.

However, because Kastehelmi has been produced over many years, collectors should pay attention to production period, colour, size, and version rather than assuming that every example has the same collector value.

If glass isn't your main interest, Finnish ceramics offer another fascinating collecting category.

Arabia has been an important Finnish ceramics manufacturer since the late 19th century.

Its history includes a wide variety of tableware, decorative ceramics, figurines, and artist-designed pieces.

Collectors often investigate works associated with designers and artists such as:

• Birger Kaipiainen
• Ulla Procopé
• Kaj Franck
• Esteri Tomula
• Raija Uosikkinen

Arabia is particularly interesting because there are many different levels of collectibility.

Some pieces are relatively common, while rare designs, early examples, and unusual decorations can attract significantly more attention.

How to Recognize Vintage Arabia

The underside is one of the first places to look.

You may find:

• Arabia Finland markings
• Model or production numbers
• Artist signatures
• Decorator marks
• Manufacturer stamps

However, Arabia marks changed over the decades.

That means you should avoid identifying an object purely from one logo or stamp.

Instead, compare the marking with documented examples from the relevant period.

Holmegaard is one of Denmark's most important glass manufacturers and a particularly interesting name for collectors.

The company is strongly associated with Danish glass design and worked with important designers and glass artists.

One of the most significant names connected with Holmegaard is Per Lütken, whose organic and sculptural glass forms have become highly collectible.

Other designers associated with Holmegaard include Jacob Bang and Bang & Olufsen-related design collaborations, among others.

What to Look For

When collecting vintage Holmegaard, consider:

• Designer
• Production period
• Model
• Colour
• Size
• Form
• Original label
• Condition

Some Holmegaard pieces have very distinctive shapes that make them relatively easy to identify once you become familiar with the designs.

There are several ways to find Scandinavian collectibles in the Netherlands.

Vintage Markets

Dutch vintage and antique markets can be excellent places to discover Nordic glass and ceramics.

The advantage is that you can inspect the object personally.

The disadvantage is that identifying unusual pieces requires knowledge—and particularly good finds can be difficult to recognise if you are a beginner.

Auction Houses

Dutch auction houses regularly offer decorative arts, ceramics, glass, and design objects.

Auctions can be excellent for collectors looking for specific designers.

However, remember to consider:

• Buyer's premium
• VAT where applicable
• Shipping
• Condition reports

The final cost can be considerably higher than the hammer price.

Antique and Vintage Shops

Specialist dealers can be useful because they may already have researched the objects they sell.

Prices can be higher than at flea markets, but you are often paying for:

• Selection
• Knowledge
• Authentication
• Condition assessment
• Convenience

Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces offer enormous choice.

They can also require the most caution.

Always ask:

• Is the item genuinely vintage?
• Is the manufacturer identified?
• Is the designer attribution documented?
• Are there condition issues?
• Are the photographs detailed enough?
• Is the seller transparent about uncertainty?

Buying Nordic Design Online in the Netherlands

For collectors who don't want to spend every weekend searching foreign markets, a curated Dutch webshop can be a practical alternative.

TheyUnique.com, for example, offers carefully selected Nordic and Scandinavian design collectibles, allowing Dutch buyers to discover vintage pieces without having to search through markets and dealers abroad.

For collectors, curation can be particularly useful because the selection is already narrowed down to objects chosen for their design, authenticity, condition, and collector appeal.

The important thing is always transparency: a good seller should clearly communicate what is known about an object rather than making unsupported claims about its designer or age.