Wood & leather brooch | Aarikka Finland

Rare early brooch by Aarikka Finland, made from wood, leather and metal fittings. A black leather bar holds several hanging rows of wooden beads, arranged almost like a small mobile.

The colour is one of its best details. They shift between deep teal, dark sea green, petrol blue and muted graphite, with the natural wood grain visible under the colour. 

Design and Character

This brooch belongs to the bold wooden jewellery language that made Aarikka recognisable in Finnish design. The shape is playful and controlled: a strict black leather top, then loose chains of round wooden beads that move gently when worn.

It can be worn on a coat, wool jacket, plain dress, black knitwear or linen. It has the spirit of 1970s Finnish design: natural materials, graphic structure and a slightly theatrical silhouette.

About Aarikka

Aarikka was founded in Finland by Kaija Aarikka and became known for wooden jewellery, sculptural objects and clear Nordic forms. Early Aarikka jewellery often used wood in unexpected ways, turning simple beads and shapes into pieces with strong identity.

Details

Maker: Aarikka
Origin: Finland
Period: circa 1970s
Item: brooch
Material: wood, leather, metal
Colour: black leather, teal green, petrol blue, dark graphite
Maximum length: 9.7 cm

Condition

Very good vintage condition.

There are signs of use consistent with age, mainly on the leather and metal fittings. 

For Collectors and Wearers

A rare early Aarikka brooch with an expressive shape and unusually rich colour. Suitable for collectors of Finnish vintage jewellery, Aarikka wooden jewellery and Scandinavian design from the 1970s.