This set of 6 glasses is from the Marski series designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, Finland. They are in the very first design with a pewter base. In the 1970's the pewter base was made obsolete and the Marksi glasses were sold as a tumbler without the pewter base and included a stemmed crystal version seen today. We have included an advertisement for the series.
We suspect that the pewter stems became detached from the thick crystal over time from hot water or dishwasher use and were deleted from the range. The reason for this thinking is that there were 4 glasses that were detached from their base in the same box as these when we purchased. The glue attaching the stem to the glass can be seen as a yellowish hue at the base of the crystal.
As such these glasses are not dishwasher safe and we would suggest the heat would loosen the glue. We have washed these by hand and the bases appear secure.
The glasses are small and would have been designed as a port wine or sherry glass.
The glasses are heavy, sturdy and masculine. This is a rare find.
The early original Iittala transfers are still in place to some of the glasses.
The glasses are in very good condition with no clouding or etching. However 3 of the pewter bases have some 'lumps' to them as shown. Perhaps another reason they were discontinued.
The glasses stand 100mm tall and measure 43mm across the rim. They hold around 60mls.
