Designer: Tapio Wirkkala (1915 – 1985)

Item: Letter opener

Manufactured by: Kultakeskus Oy

Country of origin: Helsinki, Finland

Year made: 1964

Materials: Sterling silver (.916)

Dimensions: 9” x 1 ½”

Description: This is a very well-known design by Wirkkala that was, and still is, being produced in bronze. The bronze version can be found at very affordable prices on the Internet. However, the sterling silver versions are very rare and were each hand made. According to reliable Internet sources the silver versions were hand made by the important Finnish silversmith Nils Westerback of the firm Kultakeskus Oy in Heskini, Finland. This retains all the proper Finnish silver hallmarks for Kultakeskus Oy, as well as Wirkkala’s stamped initials. It also has the manufacture year date code L7 for 1964, but does not bear Westerback’s NW hallmark as is commonly found on his jewelry. It weighs 30 grams. We have only seen two others in sterling silver.

Condition: Very good used condition. A name is engraved on top and the tip of blade has some denting from use.

References: Aav, Marianne, Tapio Wirkkala: Eye, Hand and Thought, WSOY Finland (2000) page 368