Eliel Saarinen is one of the most well known Finnish architects. He enjoyed an international career, working in both Europe and in the United States. Helander’s October Auction offers you a change to buy some of his beautiful pieces.

Lokakuun huutokauppa – Eliel Saarinen from HUUTOKAUPPA HELANDER on Vimeo.

All of the Items seen on the video above, will be auctioned in our next auction which will be held on the 8th & 9th of October. The Lot’s in the order of appearence:

Lot 10, A tufted tapestry signed with initials E.S, design by Eliel Saarinen. Size 278×100 cm. / Lot 5: Dining table and six chairs, manufactured by Adelta Oy, design by Eliel Saarinen / Lot 6, Dining table and six chairs, manufactured by Adelta Oy, design by Eliel Saarinen / Lot 7, Two armchairs, manufactured by Adelta Oy, design by Eliel Saarinen /  Lot 8, A 20th century cabinet manufactured in Turku Finland by the N. Bomans Ångsnickeri, design by Eliel Saarinen. Height 196 cm, width 176 cm and depth 54 cm / Lot 9: A early 20th century tall-case clock, design by Eliel Saarinen. Height 210 cm, width 40 cm and depth 25 cm. 

Eliel Saarinen 

Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen (Born in 1873, Grand Duchy of Finland – died in 1950, Michigan, USA) was a Finnish Architect. Saarinen was known for his style, which combined both Art Nouveau and Romantic Nationalism. 

The Internationally renowned architect had a quieter personality and rarely took part in the architectural conversation of his time. Even when his work was criticized in public, he preferred to keep to himself. His writings were also strictly based on facts.

The architect office Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen was formed in 1896, whilst all of the founding fathers Eliel Saarinen, his partners Herman Gesellius and Armas Lindgren were still in school. 

Eliel Saarinen actually ended up marring his business partners sister Loja Gesellius. Eliel and Loja had two children. Their son Eero Saarinen, also achieved many great things in architecture and in fact Eliel and Eero Saarinen are still one of the most celebrated father-son architect duos. Eliel’s and Loja’s daughter Eva-Lisa also designed furniture, but was unfortunately overshadowed by his father and his brother. 

Saarinen’s road to success started from the Paris World Fair in 1900. Each country funded, designed and on occasion constructed their pavilions, carrying the burden of some of the cost of the fair and then also the glory that followed in the praise of their homeland contributions. The Finnish Paviolion that year was designed by Eliel’s architecture firm.

Their pavilion was unfortunately located in the back row of the Fair, which almost killed their attempts on getting noticed. Fortunately the pavilion interiors held award winning frescoes designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. This very political frescoes won two silver medals and a honorary mention. 

Their firm then went on designing many very iconic buildings in Finland, which includes the National Museum of Finland (1905-1910). The museum´s entrance actually has some Kalevala themed frescoes, that are based on the frescoes painted by Gallén-Kallela and showcased at the Paris World Fair in 1900.

The Helsinki Central Railway Station, build in 1905-1914, designed by Eliel Saarinen.

The Architect firm Gesellius, Lindgren and Saarinen broke in the year 1905. After starting his own individual career as a Architect Saarinen got probably the most famous design projects in his career.  For example he went on designing the Helsinki Central railway station (1905-1914), the Vyborg railway station (1913) which was actually destroyed in the war in 1941 and many town halls allover Finland. Saarinen’s style became more and more classic as his career progressed as an individual architect.

Saarinen made his break through in the United states in 1922, when he took part in the skyscraper design competition, held by the Chicago Tribune newspaper. He ended up placing second in the competition. The last piece of the puzzle came in 1923 when George G. Booth asked Eliel to be the main architect in his Cranbrook Education Community project. Eliel was also a teacher and a president in Cranbrooks Academy of Arts. Cranbrook schools logo is designed by his son Eero Saarinen. And actually with Eliel´s help his son Eero became one of the most important American architects. Eero won his first competitions whilst still working for his father. 

Saarinen got nominated with multiple Honorary degrees by many Universities in both Europe and the U.S.A. He also won the prestige AIA Gold Medal (1947) and the Royal Gold MEDAL (1950). To this day he remains as one of the most renowned architects of Finland.

Some of his works

• Designed the Finnish markka banknotes introduced in 192
  
• Helsinki Central railway station
• Vyborg railway station
  
• Joensuu Town Hall
• Lahti Town Hall
• National Museum of Finlan
  
• Saint Paul´s Churc
• Kleinhans Music Hall (Buffalo)
  
• Crow Island School (Winnetka)
  
• Christ Church Lutheran (Minneapolis)
• Des Moines Art Center (Des Moines)

Text: Joonas Mutkala, Jenny Sirén

Pictures: Auction House Helander and Wikipedia

Sources: Wikipedia, Archdaily, kansallisbiografia.fi, Huutokauppa Helander, Villa Hvittorp, KMH Archive. 

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