The Kivi candleholder designed by Professor Heikki Orvola turns 20 years in 2008. The candleholder brings together the principles underpinning Nordic design: simplicity, functionalism, and timelessness, and its minimalist design accentuates in the different colourways.

Heikki Orvola designed the Kivi candleholder out of a commission from Marimekko in 1988, and its production began at Iittala Group’s glass factory in Nuutajärvi, Finland. “When I got the commission, I knew what they wanted from me: a Scandinavian glass candleholder. I gave it some thought and then that ‘blunt piece of tubing’ began to take shape in my mind”, describes Orvola. At the same time, Orvola designed also fabric prints for Marimekko.

The Kivi candleholder represents the licensing collaboration between Marimekko and Iittala, where Marimekko owns the design and Iittala has the right for production. Today, the candleholder is available in over 22 beautiful and atmospheric colourways.