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 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-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
Paavo Tynell Scone Model 10331, Perforated Brass, Idman 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
The same model with different perforations can be found in the Finland House lighting catalogue from the early 1950s. This model lamp is quite rare since this is the only example we ...
Metal, 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
Paavo Tynell Perforated Brass Ceiling Light Model 1965, Idman 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman
Located in Helsinki, FI
Paavo Tynell originally designed this classic model no. 1965 for the Finnish market before adapting it with a counterweight to meet American safety regulations, which prohibited lamp...
Brass, Metal
Paavo Tynell Adjustable Ceiling Light A1982MS, Perforated Brass, Idman 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Idman
Located in Helsinki, FI
The counterweight lamp models showcase Tynell's genius as a lamp designer. This feature makes these lamps suitable for all kinds of rooms with different ceiling heights as the height...
Metal, Brass
Paavo Tynell '9464' Perforated Brass and Glass Wall Light for GUBI
By Paavo Tynell, Gubi
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
Rare Paavo Tynell Brass Perforated Wall Lamp for Taito Oy, Finland 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Utrecht, NL
Finnish mid-century design is characterized by simple, elegant forms that Paavo Tynell was a master of. Like Finnish culture he embraced timeless beauty, sustainability and a deep co...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Brass Wall Lamp Model 10304 Light Taito Oy Finland. 50s Rare
By Taito, Paavo Tynell
Located in Peoria, AZ
Magnificent! Mid Century Legendary Paavo Tynell Brass Swing Arm Lamp Articulating Starlight Shade Taito Finland A rare swing arm lamp by Paavo Tynell for Taito! This lamp is the...
Metal, Brass, Copper
Extremely Rare & Lovely Mid Century Modern Perforated Brass Sconce Germany 1960s
By Paavo Tynell, Boréns Borås, 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
Perforated Brass Shade & Opaline Glass Wall Light by Valinte Oy, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Valinte Oy
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare Finnish wall light designed and produced by Valinte Oy in the 1950s, exemplifying the refined functionality and material quality characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian lig...
Brass
Alf Svensson Swedish Mid-Century Adjustable Wall Sconce SL3 in Perforated Brass
By Bergboms, Alf Svensson
Located in Örebro, SE
A Swedish adjustable wall lamp model SL 3, designed by Alf Svensson for Bergbom & Co, circa 1950s. Executed in brass, the lamp features a perforated bell-shaped shade mounted on...
Brass
