Finnish glass

Abstract

Built on the foundations of the glass industry established in Finland at the end of the 18th century, the Nuutajärvi, Iittala, Karhula and Riihimäki companies were established in 1793, 1881, 1888 and 1910 respectively. Karhula and Iittala were unified in 1917. Initially they were factories producing bottles and window glass, but during the 18th century they also started to produce domestic glass. Considering the continuation of Swedish influence even after the annexation of Finland by Russia in 1809, and even after the declaration of independence of the Republic of Finland in 1919, it is surprising that the specific national style was not clearly established until the 1930s.