Decorative Glass Bowl in Smoky Colours, Mikko Merikallio, Studio Merikallio 1981

A striking decorative bowl by Mikko Merikallio, one of the pioneers of the studio art glass movement in Finland. The bowl displays a captivating interplay of color, with rich tones appearing as if suspended and swirling like smoke in motion, gathered and softened by a delicate light purple haze that unifies the composition. The result is a visually dynamic yet balanced piece that draws the eye from every angle.

The bowl is hand-blown and shows the natural characteristics of studio glass, where subtle variations and organic details are part of the artistic expression. It works beautifully as a centerpiece or as a sculptural object on its own, bringing depth, color, and presence to an interior. A compelling addition to any serious glass collection.

The piece is signed Mikko Merikallio and dated –81.

Mikko Merikallio (born 1942) is a Finnish glass artist and a key figure in the development of the studio glass movement in Finland. Working independently from the established glass industry, he chose a self-directed path at a time when most Finnish designers were affiliated with major manufacturers such as Iittala or Riihimäen Lasi. He began working with glass in the late 1960s, building his own kiln in Espoo, Finland, and developing his practice as a self-taught glassmaker who constructed his own furnaces and tools.

His work focuses on hand-blown art glass, including bowls, vases, and glassware, often executed in clear or subtly colored glass in tones of brown, green, or violet. Characteristic studio features such as air bubbles, variations in thickness, and visible pontil marks are integral to his aesthetic. Merikallio held his first major exhibition at the Finnish Glass Museum in 1973, and his work has since been exhibited internationally, including at Glasmuseet Ebeltoft in Denmark and the Design Museum Helsinki.