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)
Pair of Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful pair of ceiling lights on a porcelain base with shades in decorated opaline glass. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half by Høvik Lys. Both lamps are full...
Porcelain, Glass
Pair of Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
This elegant pair of flush mount ceiling lights from the 1950s. A wonderful example of early mid-century modern design from the Nordic region. Designed during a time when Scandinavia...
Porcelain, Glass
A pair of ceiling lamps by Paavo Tynell Model 9052
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of rare available Model 9052, designed by Paavo Tynell for Taito/ Idman. Finland, Circa 1950th. Polished brass with opaline glass shade and 3 Edison socket bulbs. Similar mode...
Brass
$4,281Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in Dm 6.7 in
Paavo Tynell, pair of 1950s ceiling/wall lamps, Idman Oy
By Idman Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover the timeless elegance of this pair of 1950s Paavo Tynell lamps by Idman Oy, featuring an adjustable fixture through brass joints. Perfect for versatile placements, these fix...
Aluminum, Brass
Pair of Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful pair of ceiling lights on a porcelain base with decorated shades in glass. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half by Høvik Lys. Both lamps are fully workin...
Porcelain, Glass
A pair of flush mount fixtures by Paavo Tynell
By Idman Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of flush mount lighting designed by Paavo Tynell for Taito/Idman, Model 1621. Circa 1940th. White glass on nickel pated brass hardware. Two Edison type sockets. Existing wirin...
Glass
$14,000 / set
H 9.25 in W 9.44 in D 9.44 in
Paavo Tynell, Pair of Ceiling Lights, Model 9068, Idman Oy, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Amarillo, TX
"Starry Sky" ceiling light, Model 9068. Finland, circa 1950s. Manufactured and stamped [Idman]. Painted aluminum and metal with glass diffuser.
Metal, Aluminum
Pair of Scandinavian Flushmount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful pair of ceiling lights on a porcelain base with shades in decorated opaline glass. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half by Høvik Lys. Both lamps are full...
Porcelain, Glass
$6,600 / set
H 11.82 in Dm 11.62 in
Pair of Paavo Tynell "80112" Ceiling Lamps for Idman, Finland ca 1950s
By Idman, Paavo Tynell
Located in Utrecht, NL
By the 1950s, Finland’s international reputation for great design was established, thanks in no small part to the work of Paavo Tynell. The most famous Finnish industrial designer, T...
Aluminum
$75,000 / set
H 20.87 in Dm 21.46 in
A Pair of Paavo Tynell Model "9060" Ceiling Lamps for Taito Oy, Finland 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Utrecht, NL
The "9060" is one of those models that lighting design enthusiasts recognize immediately, as truly iconic. Paavo Tynell designed these model “9060” lamps in 1950-52 for the secretari...
Brass
Pair of Etruscan Wall Sconces Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of wall Etruscan sconces designed and manufactured by Karl Springer, circa 1970s. Made of chromed steel with opaque Lucite. Great proportion with modern materials and silhouet...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Wall Sconces by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of wall sconces by Sciolari, made in Italy possibly for Stilnovo. They feature chrome frame and wall plaque with three lights, in an acrylic sphere shade. One still retains a ...
Chrome
Pair of Candleholders by Carl F. Christiansen
By Carl Frederik Christiansen
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceedingly rare pair of silver plated three-arm candleholders by Carl F. Christiansen, master of Goldsmith between 1943-1963. -Good vintage condition -1960s -Midcentury, Sca...
Silver
Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors Table Lamps Model RD1477
By Carl Fagerlund
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of table lamps, model RD1477 designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors in Sweden, both nickel caps and bases engraved Orrefors RD1477. Note: We are selling these table lamps wit...
Glass
Italian Brass Ceiling Light with Articulate Arms
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Atlanta, GA
A chic midcentury Italian ceiling light, circa 1950s, in the style of Angelo Lelli. Brass stem supports three articulated arms with m...
Brass
Italian Wall Lights or Sconces Attributed to Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant pair of wall lights or sconces each holding two opaline glass globe shades and brass frame, circa 1960's. -Made in Italy -Dimensions: H 42 x W 15 x D 23 cm.
Brass
