Riihimäen Lasi Oy traces its origins to a glassworks founded in 1910 in Riihimäki, Finland, by members of the Kolehmainen and Paloheimo families. Its early output included domestic and container glass, later expanding into bottles, window glass and decorative pieces. The business grew into a major Finnish glass manufacturer, acquiring the Kauklahti glassworks in 1927 and adopting the name Riihimäen Lasi Oy in 1937.

Design became an important part of the factory’s identity. Aimo Okkolin began designing for Riihimäki in 1937, followed by Helena Tynell in 1946, Nanny Still in 1949 and Tamara Aladin in 1959. Erkkitapio Siiroinen began designing for the company as a freelancer in 1968. Together, these designers contributed to a diverse output encompassing cut crystal, art glass and practical household objects.

For collectors, the factory is particularly associated with the expressive forms, textured surfaces and vibrant colours of its mid-century production. Its designers explored contrasting approaches, from finely worked crystal to sculptural mould-blown vessels and geometric patterns. The variety of shapes, finishes and colourways remains a defining attraction of vintage Riihimäki glass.

Art-glass production ended in 1976, while the factory continued making household and packaging glass. The company was acquired by Ahlstrom in 1985 and merged with Karhula in 1988. The Riihimäki factory closed in 1990, bringing eighty years of glassmaking at the site to an end.

Read more about Riihimäki’s glassmaking history and explore the Finnish Glass Museum’s designer exhibitions.