Kaj Franck 210 'Pajunlehti' (Willow Leaf)

A model KF 210 cased glass art object known as 'Pajunlehti' or 'Willow Leaf', designed by Kaj Franck, in 1954, for Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland. Among the most poetic of Kaj Franck's art glass pieces, 'Pajunlehti' demonstrates a more expressive side to a designer best known for his rigorous functionalism and geometric forms. With its gently swelling body tapering towards an elegant point, the sleek elongated silhouette takes inspiration from the narrow leaf of a willow tree. At the same time, the design remains distinctly abstract, perhaps, in part, thanks to the exquisite execution of this cased glass piece. The cased construction enhances the visual depth of the object. Light passes through the crystal clear outer layer before encountering the rich tyrian purple interior, creating subtle shifts in colour, transparency, and reflection as the viewer moves around the piece. The result is a sculpture that feels simultaneously natural and highly refined. Produced between 1954 and 1963 in several colours and three sizes, this example is the largest.