This striking vase received its name after a new luxury restaurant in Helsinki, called Savoy and opened in 1937. The Savoy Vase was, however, not custom-made for the restaurant.

Under the Swedish code name of Eskimoerindens Skinnbuxa (Eskimo-Woman's Leather Pants) it was an entry to a design competition where the winners would be shown at the Paris World Fair in 1937.

A total of about 10 sketches was produced from this series and first shown in the Finland Pavilion (Also designed by Aalto as a result form another competition in 1936) at the World Fair.