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)
Pendant Model 1092, Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy, 1940s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pendant Model 1092, designed by Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Taito Oy, 1940s. Chromed metal and brass frame, wood slat and opaline glass shade. Good vintage condition, patina consis...
Metal, Chrome, Brass
Model 61-339 Pendant, Lisa Johansson-Pape, Stockmann-Orno, 1950s
By Lisa Johansson-Pape, Stockmann-Orno
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 61-339 pendant, design Lisa Johansson-Pape, manufactured by Stockmann-Orno, 1950s. Brass frame with opaline glass shade. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent...
Brass
Rare Pendant, Lisa Johansson-Pape, Orno Oy, 1950s
By Orno Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Rare pendant, designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape, manufactured by Orno Oy, 1950s. Painted metal, brass and milk glass. Rare hole design on the milk glass. Good vintage condition, minor ...
Metal, Brass
Model 1965 Pendant, Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy, 1940/1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 1965 pendant, design Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Taito Oy, 1940/1950s. Brass frame, fabric glare shield. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and ...
Brass
Pendant Model T-549/6 "Carolin", Hans-Agne Jakobsson, AB Markaryd, 1960/1970s
By AB Markaryd, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pendant model T-549/6 "Carolin", design Hans-Agne Jakobsson, manufactured by AB Markaryd, 1960/1970s. Brass frame, fabric shade. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consist...
Brass
Model 1308 Pendant (2 Pieces), Lisa Johansson-Pape, Orno Oy, 1950s
By Orno Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 1308 pendant (2 pieces sold separately), design Lisa Johansson-Pape, manufactured by Orno Oy, 1950s. Brass frame, opaline glass shade. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor pat...
Brass
Pendant Lamp by Hans-Agne Jakobsson for Ab Markaryd Sweden, 1960s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, AB Markaryd
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant lamp in opaline glass with a softly rounded shade suspended from a teak finial and dark metal fitting. The form narrows at the neck and opens into a smaller lower diffuser, c...
Opaline Glass, Teak
Lisa Johansson-Pape, Pendant Light, Lacquered Metal, Acrylic, Finland, 1960s
By Orno Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white and gold-lacquered metal and acrylic pendant light designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape, and produced by Ornö, Finland, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 47.75” H x 17”...
Metal
Pendant by Paavo Tynell Model A1993
By Idman Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rare available model "A1993" counterweight elevating lamp designed by Paavo Tynell. Recently re-polished. Similar example featured at Idman catalog, Circa 1950th. Dimensions: Shade d...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Model K3-44 Pendant in Glass, Brass & Fabric, Idman, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Karis, Nyland
Elegant and airy pendant light designed by Paavo Tynell for Idman during the 1950s. The model K3-44 combines Tynell’s refined modernist sensibility with delicate handcrafted details,...
Brass
'Verona' Pendant by Sven Middleboe, 1960
By Svend Middelboe, Nordisk Solar Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful tiered 'Verona' pendant, designed by Sven Middleboe for Nordisk Solar Compagni in Denmark in 1962. This all white, five ringed aluminum pendant is perfect for above a dinin...
Metal
Mid Century Orno pendant designed by Yki Nummi, Finland, 1960's
By Yki Nummi
Located in Montréal, QC
Mid Century Orno pendant designed by Yki Nummi, Finland, 1960's. 60 watts E-26 Edison medium base incandescent bulb recommended or higher if LED/CFL. CREATOR: Yki Nummi PERIOD: 19...
Enamel, Steel
