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 Umbrella Table Lamp Model 5061 in Brass and Glass, Taito 1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
Nicknamed "the umbrella", this sizeable lamp was already designed in the 1930s. The model has three different versions, one of which has this hand-blown opaline glass shade with a ch...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Umbrella Table Lamp Model 5061 in Brass and Glass, Taito 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
Nicknamed "the umbrella", this sizeable lamp was already designed in the 1930s. The model has three different versions, one of which has this hand-blown opaline glass shade with a ch...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Umbrella Table Lamp Model 5061 in Solid Brass, Taito Oy 1940s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful example of the umbrella table lamp model 5061 in full brass without perforations, designed by Tynell and produced by Taito Oy in the 1940s. The item is in good original...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Finnair Commissioned Table Mounted Brass Lamp, Taito 1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and very rare table mounted lamp designed by Paavo Tynell, comissioned by Finnair and manufactured by Taito Oy in 1952. This lamp was comissioned for the Aero (later Finn...
Brass
Large Paavo Tynell Full Brass Seashell Table Lamp Model 5321, Taito Oy 1940s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A gorgeous and possibly unique seashell lamp by Paavo Tynell in full brass and larger than the usual versions seen in the market. The leg is in full brass rather than the usual ratta...
Brass, Metal
Kai Ruokonen 'Finnmark' Slated Table Lamp, Full Brass, Orno 1970s
By Orno Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic Scandinavian design lamp model 0992 by Kai Ruokonen "Finnmark" and manufactured by Orno Oy in the 1970s for the Hesperia Hotel in Helsinki, Finland. A very simple yet elega...
Metal, Brass
Paavo Tynell Table Lamp Model 5061 for Taito Brass and Opaline Glass, circa 1940
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Impressive Paavo Tynell Table lamp made in polished brass and amber glass shade. The lamp is in great condition and it's stamped by the editor TAITO. Model 5061. Dimension : 38.5 cm ...
Brass
Rare Brass Table Lamp Mod. 5061 by Paavo Tynell for Taito, Finland, ca. 1940s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Rare large polished brass table lamp by Paavo Tynell produced by Taito, Finland 1940s. In an excellent vintage condition. Measurements: Height : 16.14 inches Diameter: 14.37 i...
Brass
Austrian Brass Table Lamp, 1940s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian brass table lamp from the 1940s. Large weighted base with a conical stem and large shade, lacquered white on the underside. Executed entirely in brass with an unusual soft m...
Brass
Kypärä Table Lamp by Paavo Tynell, 1940s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This very rare table lamp, model Kypärä No. 9209, designed by Paavo Tynell and produced by Taito Oy in Finland during the 1940s, is a striking example of the refined and poetic sensi...
Brass
Harald Notini Table lamp model 15295 for Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik circa 1940.
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Harald Notini Table lamp model 15295 for Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik circa 1940. This table lamp features a distinctive, sculptural silhouette with a domed, shade made of dark, patin...
Brass
Scandinavian modern brass table lamp 'Bumling' by Anders Pehrson, Sweden, 1960s
By Ateljé Lyktan
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful brass table lamp designed by Anders Pehrson and made by Atlejé Lyktan, Sweden, during the 1960s. Big model made in brass with a leather foot.
Brass
