Designer: Nanny Still

Nanny Still was one of the most renowned European glass designers of the mid-20th century.

She was a Scandinavian designer who worked for the flagship design factories, Riihimäki in Finland and Rosenthal in Germany. She received the highest honor of Finland, the Pro Finlandia medal, and was recognized with a prestigious award at the Milano Triennale.

Nanny Still (1926–2009) grew up in Helsinki and studied metal and industrial arts in the immediate post-war period. In 1949, fresh out of school, she won an open design competition and was offered a position at Riihimäki Glassworks. She would remain there for over a quarter-century, during which time she bridged studio art and mass production.

Iconic Nanny Still series

By the late 1950s, Still distinguished herself with bold use of color and unconventional forms. In 1958 she introduced “Harlekiini,” a deep-blue geometric tableware series that became iconic. Another landmark was “Koristepullo” (1959–1968), a set of sculptural decorative bottles showcasing nuanced smoky hues, a testament to her mastery of glass chemistry.

International Collaborations

After Riihimäki ended artisanal glass production in 1976, Still took on freelance work across Europe. She designed for Rosenthal in Germany, as well as for manufacturers in Belgium and the Netherlands. She also created metal cutlery and textile-based tableware, including a notable series for Hackman.

Recognition and Legacy

Still received Finland’s Pro Finlandia medal in 1972 and won top honors at Milan’s Triennale in 1954. Museums across Scandinavia and continental Europe include her work. In her later years, she focused on pâte-de-verre sculptures, rounding out a career that combined technical depth with distinctive sculptural vision.

Read the blog about glass series Harlekiini, designed by Nanny Still.