Blue tinted glass plate by Aarre Putro for Karhula

Aarre Sakari Putro (1906-1941) was a notable Finnish glass designer associated with the Karhula and Iittala glassworks. He is best known for winning the prestigious Karhula‑Iittala design competition in July 1932 with his “Olli” pressed glass series, a collection of bowls, plates, and tumblers renowned for their elegant concentric ring motifs and minimalist Scandinavian style  Putro's designs were produced at Karhula Glass Factory during 1932–1933.

While much of Putro's contemporary work remains obscure, his contributions capture a pivotal era in Finnish glass design—a moment when Karhula emerged internationally with modernist expressions in everyday utilitarian glassware. Aarre Putro perished in the Continuation War in 1941 at the age of 35.