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)
Scandinavian Modern Flush mount, Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy, 1940s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Flush mount, design Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Taito Oy, 1940s. Glass shade, brass details. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use. Paavo Tynel...
Brass
Model 2016 Flush Mounts, Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy, Mid-20th Century
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 2016 flush mount (2 pieces sold separately), design Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Taito Oy, Mid-20th Century. Nickel-plated metal frame, milk glass shade. Good vintage conditio...
Metal, Nickel
Scandinavian Modern Model 2098 R Flush Mount, Paavo Tynell, Idman, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Scandinavian Modern model 2098 R flush mount, design Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Idman, 1950s. Marked. Opaline glass shade, brass details. Good vintage condition, minor patina cons...
Brass
Flush Mount Model 1076/8022, Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy, Mid-20th Century
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Flush Mount Model 1076/8022, designed by Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Idman Oy, Mid-20th Century. Plastic shade, brass details. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consiste...
Brass
Scadinavian Modern Model 80220 Flush Mount, Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy, 1950s
By Idman Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 80220 flush mount, design Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Idman Oy, 1950s. Opaline glass shade, brass details. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use. ...
Brass
Model 2093 Flush Mount in Cream Glass, Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy, 1940/1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 2093 flush mount, design Tynell, manufactured by Taito Oy, 1940/1950s. Opaline glass shade, brass details. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and ...
Brass
Paavo Tynell flush mount model A 2-3 for Taito, circa 1944
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Large Paavo Tynell flush mount model A 2-3 for TAITO, designed and made in the 40's. This model is made with an painted iron core, with a glass and brass diffuser. Really good condit...
Brass, Iron
Paavo Tynell Model "2025" Flush Mount for Idman, Finland 1940s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman
Located in Utrecht, NL
Paavo Tynell’s opal glass flush mounts are some of his most celebrated works, blending modernist minimalism with a soft, organic aesthetic. The designs are often seen as exemplifying...
Opal, Metal
Paavo Tynell Model "2034" Ceiling Lamp for Taito, Finland 1930s
By Taito, Paavo Tynell
Located in Utrecht, NL
The most famous Finnish industrial designer, Paavo Tynell came to be known as the “man who illuminated Finland” thanks to his notable lighting designs. A master craftsman, Tynell’s d...
Metal
Paavo Tynell Flush Mount in Brass & Vinyl For Taito, Finland 1950
By Gunnel Nyman, Paavo Tynell, Taito-idman
Located in Vienna, AT
Paavo Tynell Flush Mount in Brass & vinyl fabric for PSO Pohjoismainen Sähkö Oy, circa 1955, model 1076/8022, manufacturer's stamp (Pso) Large 27.56" mid-century vinyl shade flush ...
Brass
Large Art Deco Paavo Tynell Flush Mount Model 1621, Rimmed Glass, Taito 1930s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An elegant minimalist art deco ceiling lamp by Paavo Tynell and manufactured by Taito from the 1930s. This lamp, along with other lamps on our listings, came from the Ilveslinna building in Jämsänkoski and were all commissioned by Paavo Tynell. The lamp features a nickled brass body with a sizable rimmed opaline glass shade covering two lamp bulbs inside. See photo with bridal bouquet lamp...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount Light, Fabric & Brass, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
This Finnish 1950s off-white fabric flush mount perfectly captures mid-century modern elegance, featuring refined brass details that evoke the timeless style of Paavo Tynell. Crafted...
Brass
