Riihimaki, Finland
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The history of glass making in Finland can be traced back to around 1681. Finland’s first glass factories, in common with many others in Europe and the Nordic countries, were originally producers of bottles and window glass.
Claës Norstedt (1870-1952) was a key figure, being involved, in one way or another, with most of the glassworks in Finland that produced Carnival Glass. The Riihimäki glassworks (Osakeyhtiö Riihimäki or Riihimäen Lasi Oy) was established around 1910 in the town of the same name, north of Helsinki. It gained a good reputation for household glass, lighting, crystal and more. In 1927, Riihimäki took over an ailing glassworks, Kauklahti, and this was the stimulus for the introduction of Carnival Glass. Riihimäki also acquired designs from Kauklahti, some of which were copies of, or inspired by, American Carnival patterns, such as Tiger Lily, Riihimäki Open Rose, Riihimäki Grape, and Grape Medallion. Moulds were purchased from Germany and Sweden, and there were also many other magnificent and unusual designs that were of purely Finnish origin—mainly geometric / intaglio (featuring stars in a multitude of different ways), but there are also some fascinating figural items. |
An engraving of the Riihimäki factory and landscape in 1930,
courtesy of the Finnish National Library. |
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Carnival Glass production at Riihimaki Thanks to Roger Peltonen, we can now date precisely when Riihimaki started to make Carnival Glass - April 1928. Roger discovered a series of Riihimaki ads in both Finnish and Swedish newspapers in which Riihimaki proudly announced and promoted the launch of their new range which they called “Hoh’to-Lustra” - that is, Carnival Glass. They were undoubtedly proud of their new glass, describing it as "beautiful, previously unseen glassware that glitters in a miraculous symphony of colours". On the right is part of one of these ads ("Uutta" means "New"). We have the full ad, and several more besides, all courtesy of Roger Peltonen, on our new feature article - Riihimaki in the News (or click on the image on the right). |
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A display of wonderful Riihimäki Carnival Glass vases.
From left to right: Tennessee Star, Double Starburst, Western Thistle, Kaaro (all blue), and Jupiter (amber). |
A selection of Riihimaki marks
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Riihimäki factory circa 1920s. Image from Lamp Glass catalogue, courtesy Finnish National Library
Around seventy different Riihimäki patterns are known: an astonishing output for a relatively small factory, indicative of the popularity of Carnival Glass in Finland during its years of production. As well as being sold in Finland, Riihimäki’s Carnival was also exported to countries including England, Australia, the USA, Argentina, South Africa, the Middle East, Germany, Estonia, Norway and Denmark.
Carnival Glass was made at Riihimäki into the early 1940s. In 1961, a co-operative agreement began with A. Ahlstrom, and in 1985, Riihimäki was subsequently bought out by Ahlstrom. Later it became part of Ahlstrom Riihimäen Lasi Oy, then Owens-Illinois, before finally closing in 2009.
Carnival Glass was made at Riihimäki into the early 1940s. In 1961, a co-operative agreement began with A. Ahlstrom, and in 1985, Riihimäki was subsequently bought out by Ahlstrom. Later it became part of Ahlstrom Riihimäen Lasi Oy, then Owens-Illinois, before finally closing in 2009.
We have researched, studied, documented and photographed Riihimäki's Carnival Glass over many years. The result is an e-book that provides the most comprehensive coverage of their Carnival Glass, all in one easy-to-use e-book. Check it out, along with our other e-books and Carnival Glass publications. You can buy online with Paypal and download your "Riihimäki Carnival Glass from Finland" e-book, or have it mailed to you on a CD.
Read and See More about Riihimäki - click on any image
