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)
Height Adjustable Ceiling Lamp in Brass, 1940's
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Height Adjustable Ceiling Lamp in Brass by Carl-Axel Acking & Paavo Tynell, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Brass Style: Mid century,...
Brass
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Height Adjustable Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass, glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Taito Oy in Fin...
Brass
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare ceiling lamp model A1965 Produced by ...
Brass
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare ceiling lamp model A1965 Produced by ...
Brass
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The ceiling lamp model number 1953, designed by Paavo Tynell and produced by Taito Oy in Finland during the 1950s, represents a rare and exemplary instance of Scandinavian lighting d...
Brass
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Brass and Glass by Paavo Tynell, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare ceiling lamp model A1965 Produced by ...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Style Height-Adjustable Brass Pendant Lamp by Itsu, Finland, 1950s
By Itsu, Paavo Tynell
Located in Turku, Finland
An original Finnish height-adjustable brass pendant lamp, model ER99, manufactured by Itsu in the 1950s. This pulley-operated pendant (also known as a rise-and-fall pendant or counte...
Brass
Brass Suspension Pendant Lamp In the Style of Paavo Tynell, 1960s, Finland
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Brass Suspension Pendant Lamp In the Style of Paavo Tynell, 1960s, Finland Unusual and rare design. Lampshade is in good condition and very clean. This lamp works with E27 light ...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Adjustable Counter Balance Pendant Light, Model A1957
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Vienna, AT
Paavo Tynell A1957 counterweight pendant, 1950 Rare and exceptionally refined ceiling light executed in brass that can be raised and lowered using its ingenious counterweight and pu...
Brass
Midcentury Brass Pendant Lamp by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, Finland, 1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful brass ceiling lamp by Paavo Tynell, with a conical shade perforated with small holes and finished with a scalloped edge. The underside of the lamp has a glass shade that co...
Brass
Polished Brass Pendant Lamp in the Style of Paavo Tynell, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Very rare pendant lamp in the style of Paavo Tynell, made in Finland in the 1950s. The lighting is made of full of brass. It has many small holes which are creating beautiful light. ...
Brass
Brass K2-46 Chandelier by Paavo Tynell, Scandinavian Modern, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large edition of the K2-46 chandelier by Paavo Tynell for Idman. The brass shade has twin dot perforations, scalloped edge detail, and a etched glass diffuser underneath. The overa...
Brass
