Paavo Tynell

Finnish, 1890-1973

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)

Average Sold Price

$7,282

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Paavo Tynell

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model 9602

Starry Sky Ceiling Light Model 9068

Task Lamp Model 9227

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy 'Concerto' Chandelier in Brass and Beige Glass

$26,500

H 30.52 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy 'Concerto' Chandelier in Brass and Beige Glass

By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, chandelier from the 'Concerto' series, model '9029/4', brass, glass, Finland, 1948 This majestic chandelier is designed by the master in the fields of lig...

Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Large Paavo Tynell Flush Mount Ceiling Light in Silk and Brass

$7,750

H 11.03 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in

Large Paavo Tynell Flush Mount Ceiling Light in Silk and Brass

By Paavo Tynell, David Weidman

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Idman, flush mount ceiling lamp, model 20423, silk, brass, Finland, 1950s Flush mount ceiling lamp designed by Paavo Tynell and produced by Idman, Finland, during t...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Elegant Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9445' Wall Light in Brass

$11,000

H 13.19 in W 13.59 in D 7.49 in

Elegant Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9445' Wall Light in Brass

By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, wall light, model '9445', brass, etched glass, Finland, 1940s. Among the rarer lighting designs created by Paavo Tynell, this model 9445 wall light beauti...

Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy Ceiling Light with Original Shade

$12,400

H 25.2 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy Ceiling Light with Original Shade

By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy Ab, ceiling light, model '1085', wooden stalks, opaline glass, Finland, 1940s A rare ceiling light, model 1085, designed by Paavo Tynell and produced by Ta...

Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Opaline Glass, Wood

Four-Light Chandelier by Paavo Tynell for Oy Taito Ab, Finland, 1930s

$3,776

H 23.63 in Dm 20.87 in

Four-Light Chandelier by Paavo Tynell for Oy Taito Ab, Finland, 1930s

By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy

Located in Turku, Finland

An elegant and highly collectible Art Deco chandelier designed by Paavo Tynell and manufactured by Oy Taito Ab during the 1930s. This refined four-light suspension fixture exemplifie...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Art Deco Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9609' Pair of Floor Lamps in Cane and Brass

$79,000 / set

H 60.24 in W 16.15 in D 23.43 in

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9609' Pair of Floor Lamps in Cane and Brass

By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, pair of floor lamps, model '9609', cane, bamboo, brass, lacquered steel, Finland, 1950s The 9609 floor lamp by Finnish designer Paavo Tynell is a stunnin...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Steel

Paavo Tynell model 5068 for Taito circa 1940, Brass & wood straw.

$18,881

H 19.69 in Dm 18.51 in

Paavo Tynell model 5068 for Taito circa 1940, Brass & wood straw.

By Paavo Tynell

Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län

Paavo Tynell table lamp model 5068 made by Taito Oy, The lamp is made in solid brass with a wood handel and a wood straw shade. Good original condition, the lamp is stamp by the edit...

Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

1950s Paavo Tynell 'Ballerina' 7 Lights Chandelier for Lightolier , USA

$8,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 27 in W 22 in D 22 in

1950s Paavo Tynell 'Ballerina' 7 Lights Chandelier for Lightolier , USA

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier, Paavo Tynell

Located in St- Leonard, Quebec

A classic 1950s blend of Paavo Tynell collaboration with Lightolier USA model 'Ballerina' . 6 arms brass chandelier with enameled pierced shade giving it a starry night look whe...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Browse all Furniture from Paavo Tynell

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Paavo Tynell Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$3,240	Flush Mount	Brass	Contemporary
2026	$1,902	Flush Mount	Synthetic, Textile, Brass	Circa 1950s
2026	$12,800	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass, Opaline Glass	1949
2026	$2,250	Flush Mount	Opaline Glass, Brass	ca 1930s
2026	$8,398	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Glass, Brass	1960s
2026	$2,808	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass	Contemporary
2026	$18,240	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Rattan	1950s
2026	$9,784	Chandeliers and Pendants, More Lighting	Metal, Brass	1950's
2026	$989	Table Lamps, More Lighting	Brass, Rattan, Metal	Contemporary
2026	$3,520	Chandeliers and Pendants	Silk, Brass, Birch, Blown Glass	1940s
2026	$1,299	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass, Bamboo	Contemporary
2026	$1,943	Floor Lamps	Brass, Wicker	Contemporary
2026	$5,438	Floor Lamps	Birch, Slate, Chrome	Circa 1930s
2026	$2,808	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass	Contemporary
2026	$3,240	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass	Contemporary
2026	$4,480	Table Lamps	Plastic, Rattan, Metal, Brass	1950s
2026	$1,250	Floor Lamps	Glass	2025
2026	$4,700	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Opaline Glass	1940
2026	$6,300	Chandeliers and Pendants	Cut Glass, Glass, Brass, Fabric	1960s
2026	$3,240	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass	Contemporary

$7,282

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$1-$74,928

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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More Paavo Tynell Designs

Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model 9602

Average Price

$25,912

Number Available

Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model 9602

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal, Natural Fiber, Rattan, Wicker

Styles

Mid Century Modern

Shop All

Starry Sky Ceiling Light Model 9068

Average Price

$15,244

Number Available

Starry Sky Ceiling Light Model 9068

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Metal, Brass, Glass, Wood

Styles

Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern

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Task Lamp Model 9227

Average Price

$8,715

Number Available

Task Lamp Model 9227

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal

Styles

Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern

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Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

Average Price

$22,832

Number Available

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal, Glass

Styles

Scandinavian Modern

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This 1950s Paavo Tynell Chandelier Got a Glow-Up

Commissioned for the lakeside villa of a Finnish industrialist, it illuminated visits with dignitaries.

This Paavo Tynell Chandelier Is a Radiant Bouquet

The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.

Paavo Tynell’s Snowflake Chandelier Warms Up Any Room

This circa 1950 piece by the legendary Finnish lighting designer spent the past several decades in a family's home in Michigan.

Paavo Tynell furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Paavo Tynell furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paavo Tynell furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 357 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 33 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Paavo Tynell were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Lisa Johansson-Pape, Stockmann-Orno , and Yki Nummi. Prices for Paavo Tynell furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $499 and can go as high as $355,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,807.