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)
Paavo Tynell Scone Model 9460 in Perforated Brass, Idman 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and refined example of the model 9460 wall light / singular scone by Paavo Tynell, produced by Idman in Finland during the 1950s. Executed entirely in brass, the fixture ...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Wall Lamp / Single Scone Model 9460, Perforated Brass, Taito 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and refined example of the model 9460 wall light / scone by Paavo Tynell, produced by Taito in Finland during the 1950s. Executed entirely in brass, the fixture embodies ...
Brass
Lisa Johansson-Pape Perforated Brass Wall Sconce Model 50-084, Orno 1950s
By Lisa Johansson-Pape, Orno Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An extremely rare model 50-084 wall sconce, designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape for Orno in the 1950s in Finland. This exact one is a more rare version of the model, which usually comes ...
Brass
Lisa Johansson-Papé Adjustable Scone 50-055 in Perforated Brass, Orno 1950s
By Lisa Johansson-Pape, Orno Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful wall light with perforated brass allowing the light to filter through the brass to give a warm starry sky like look, especially if the rest of the room is dark. This lamp...
Brass
Pair of Perforated Brass Scones, NAFA Nybro Armaturfabrik, Sweden 1970s
By NAFA
Located in Helsinki, FI
A charming pair of mid-century wall lamps by Swedish lighting manufacturer NAFA (Nybro Armaturfabrik), circa 1970s. Featuring perforated metal shades, these versatile lamps can be ad...
Metal, Brass
Paavo Tynell "Starry Sky" Ceiling Lamp Model 9068 In White and Brass Idman 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman
Located in Helsinki, FI
The Starry Sky is one of the most iconic designs of Paavo Tynell's lamps. It was made by both Taito and Idman in many different sizes. The way the light filters through the grill and...
Metal, Brass
Modernist mid century wall lamp perforated brass, Scandinavian modernism, Sweden
Located in Forserum, SE
A modernist wall or bedside lamp, crafted from solid brass with a tiltable shade perforated with a geometric pattern of holes. It can be mounted directly on the wall or a headboard u...
Brass
Paavo Tynell '9464' Perforated Brass and Glass Wall Light for GUBI
By Gubi, Paavo Tynell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paavo Tynell '9464' Perforated Brass and Glass Wall Light for GUBI Originally designed by Paavo Tynell in 1947, this authorized GUBI re-edition is executed in a perforated brass met...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century German Minimalist Perforated Wall Lamp, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century wall lamp with flexible umbrella. Probably from Emperor. A minimalist design. Cubic shapes run through this design, from the screen to the wall plate. The most striking ...
Metal
Paavo Tynell custom wall lamp. circa 1950. Taito Oy
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Extremly rare custom made wall lamp design by Paavo Tynell and made in solid brass with pierces holes. Drawing by the artist available on demand. the wall lamp can be used upon a des...
Brass
Extremely Rare & Lovely Mid Century Modern Perforated Brass Sconce Germany 1960s
By Boréns Borås, Paavo Tynell, Hans Bergström, Bertil Brisborg, Bünte und Remmler
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern perforated brass sconce. Designed & manufactured probably in Germany, 1960s. Suitable for either hard-wired or plug...
Brass, Aluminum
LUbular Perforated Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Part of our Lumfardo Luminaires contemporary collection, this LUbular perforated all-brass sconce is a directional reading sconce in a patina brass finish. Single E26 based socket pe...
Brass
