Glass wares by Nuutajarvi Notsjo, Finland

The Nuutajärvi Notsjö glass factory is the oldest glass factory in Finland that is still in operation. It was founded in 1793 by Jacob Wilhelm de Pont and Harald Furuhjelm, who were granted a license to manufacture window glass and other glass products. The factory was originally located in the village of Nuutajärvi, but it was moved to the nearby village of Notsjö in 1816.

In its early years, the factory focused on producing functional glass objects, such as window panes, bottles, and tableware. However, in the mid-19th century, the factory began to produce more decorative glass objects, such as vases, figurines, and chandeliers. This was due in part to the efforts of Adolf Törngren, who took over the factory in 1849. Törngren was a skilled glassmaker and businessman, and he was determined to make Nuutajärvi a leading producer of art glass. Under his leadership, Nuutajärvi glass became known more... for its innovative designs and high quality. Many its glass wares were designed by leading Finnish designers, such as Kaj Franck, Tapio Wirkkala, and Timo Sarpaneva.

In the 1950s, Nuutajärvi glass was acquired by the Wartsila Group. This led to a period of expansion and growth for the factory. New production facilities were built, and new designers were hired. Nuutajärvi glass continued to be a leader in the field of art glass, and its products were exported all over the world.

In 1988, Nuutajärvi glass merged with Iittala. Today, Nuutajärvi glass is marketed under the Iittala name. However, the factory still produces a wide variety of glass objects in the Nuutajärvi tradition. less...