Paavo Tynell was an industrial designer, known as the great pioneer of Finnish lighting design and fondly dubbed “the man who illuminated Finland.” Tynell was one of the founders and chief designers of Taito Oy — the first industrial producer of lamps and other lighting fixtures in Finland. With the innovation of electricity in the beginning of the 20th century, Taito Oy and Tynell expanded the thinking and manufacturing of modern lighting solutions in Europe and abroad.
Tynell rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s, during which he collaborated with some of the most renowned Finnish architects, Alvar Aalto being the most notable one. Working to incorporate artificial lighting into modern environments, Tynell’s company Taito Oy produced fixtures for all of Aalto’s major projects including the Paimio Sanatorium and the Viipuri Library.
Tynell was especially praised for his involvement with the Finland House, a design atelier in New York that showcased the work of Finnish designers and craftspeople. His elegant brass designs became an instant success in North America, and he began creating lighting designs for the prestigious American company Lightolier.
A master craftsman, Tynell’s designs were derivative of a traditional aesthetic with a modern sensibility, mixed with an extensive use of perforated and polished brass. Marked by delicacy and softness, his most famous forms in lighting echo the structures of nature; he adroitly created sculptural shapes reminiscent of the branches of trees, swirling snowflakes and seashells.
Find antique Paavo Tynell chandeliers and pendants, floor lamps and other lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Side Gallery)
Large Size Paavo Tynell Pendant Light by Taito Oy - 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Espoo, FI
Large size pendant light by Paavo Tynell from 1950s. The lights were originally sold to the city of Ikaalinen (Finland) where they served at Ikaalinen Primary School until the schoo...
Brass
Kari Ruokonen Pendant by Lynx - 1960s
By Kari Ruokonen
Located in Espoo, FI
Pendant by a Finnish designer Kai Ruokonen for Lynx form the 1960s. Brass with plastic details. Scandinavian Modern design with playful color scheme. Good vintage condition, minor pa...
Brass
Paavo Tynell 1950’s Model K2-20 Ceiling Lamp
By Idman, Paavo Tynell
Located in Espoo, FI
1950's brass and opal glass pendant model K2-20 by Paavo Tynell for Idman Oy Finland Unpolished brass dome shaped shade over mouth blown frosted glass diffuser. A beautiful refined b...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Large Scale Pendant Light by Taito Oy - 1950’s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Espoo, FI
Large size pendant light by Paavo Tynell. These lights are made by Taito Oy in the 1950s. The lights were originally sold to the city of Ikaalinen (Finland) where they served at Ikaa...
Brass
Tapio Wirkkala Rare Ceiling Lamp by Idman Oy Finland 1959-1961
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Espoo, FI
Rare ceiling lamp by Tapio Wirkkala with perforated brass shade and satin lacquered metal body, Designed and manufactured between 1959 and 1961 The model is from a limited edition ...
Metal, Brass
Ceiling Pendant by Itsu, Helsinki Finland, Mid 20th Century
By Itsu
Located in Espoo, FI
This three piece ceiling pendant was designed during the 1950s in Finland. Itsu, short for Itä-Suomen Sähkö (eng. Eastern Finland Electricity), was a small, lesser known manufactory...
Brass
A Pendant by Paavo Tynell , Model K2-15
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Long Island City, NY
A lighting pendant designed by Paavo Tynell for Idman Oy, Model "K2-15". Finland, Circa 1950th. Opaline glass shade with lacquered metal. Including original, polished bras ceiling ca...
Glass
Midcentury Modern Ceiling Light by Paavo Tynell, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant white lacquered brass ceiling lamp by Paavo Tynell, with a streamlined shade perforated with small holes. The underside of the lamp has a glass shade that covers the light so...
Brass
Model 1965 Pendant, Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy, 1940/1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 1965 pendant, design Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Taito Oy, 1940/1950s. Brass frame, fabric glare shield. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and ...
Brass
1960s Louis Kalff "Nt28 E/00" Pendant Light in Dusty Blue w/ Milk Glass Collar
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Louis Kalff for Philips, the NT28 pendant features a dusty blue enameled metal cone shade above and a matching blue enameled base ring below, with a cylindrical milk glas...
Metal
Greta M. Grossman Grashoppa Pendant Dusty Blue for GUBI
By Gubi, Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in New York, NY
The Gräshoppa Pendant has emerged from Greta M. Grossman’s original lamp design from 1947, using the signature steel shade that successfully combines lightness and functionality into...
Brass, Steel
Midcentury "PH5" Pendant by Poul Henningsen, Danish Design, 1950s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pendant in painted metal, designed in 1958 by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Great original condition.
Metal
