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

$6,571

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

Rare Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy Pair of '9405' Wall Lights in Brass and Glass

$100,000 / set

H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 7.88 in

Rare Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy Pair of '9405' Wall Lights in Brass and Glass

By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, pair of wall lights, model ‘9405’, brass, glass, Finland, 1940s Paavo Tynell was a pioneering Finnish designer who helped shape early 20th-century lighti...

Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell for Taito Pendant Lamp Model '1959' in Perforated Brass

$29,800

H 89.38 in W 15.36 in D 15.36 in

Paavo Tynell for Taito Pendant Lamp Model '1959' in Perforated Brass

By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, pendant lamp, model '1959', brass, glass, Finland, 1950s. This striking pendant lamp, known as model 1959, is a quintessential design by Finnish lighting ...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Pair of Paavo Tynell Chinese Hat Floor Lamp 9602 Brass & Rattan, Taito 1950s

$74,233 / set

H 59.85 in Dm 24.41 in

Pair of Paavo Tynell Chinese Hat Floor Lamp 9602 Brass & Rattan, Taito 1950s

By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful pair of the iconic Paavo Tynell floor lamps, model 9602, also known as the “Chinese Hat.” Originally designed in the 1930s, this model remains one of Tynell’s most celebr...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

$10,000

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

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9209' Table Lamp in Brass and Cane

$37,000

H 13.78 in W 9.45 in D 9.06 in

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9209' Table Lamp in Brass and Cane

By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, 'Kypärä' desk lamp, model '9209', brass, cane, Finland, 1950s A truly magnificent piece that scores highly on every design aspect: execution, material us...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell Flush Mount Mid Century Modern Ceiling Light Chandelier Brass White

$6,900

H 9 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in

Paavo Tynell Flush Mount Mid Century Modern Ceiling Light Chandelier Brass White

By Paavo Tynell

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A vintage ceiling light designed by Paavo Tynell and produced in the early 60's. Hard to find smaller size here in the States. Very good overall condition. Most likely re-lacquered a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Steel

Paavo Tynell, Pair of wall lamp model 10330 for Taito, circa 1950.

$44,300

H 19.69 in W 8.27 in D 5.52 in

Paavo Tynell, Pair of wall lamp model 10330 for Taito, circa 1950.

By Paavo Tynell

Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län

Paavo Tynell important wall light model 10330 made in the 50's for Taito. This example is the biggest version of the model. This pair of wall lamps features a sculptural, folded for...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Modern Ceiling Light by Paavo Tynell, Finland, 1940s

$11,673

H 20.87 in Dm 20.48 in

Midcentury Modern Ceiling Light by Paavo Tynell, Finland, 1940s

By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell

Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län

Exquisite ceiling light by Paavo Tynell, made from glass with a rattan shade. The glass is painted with a motif of hand painted meadow flowers and looks especially beautiful when lit...

Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Browse all Furniture from Paavo Tynell

Shop Now

Paavo Tynell Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$5,949	Flush Mount	Brass, Opal	1955
2026	$5,193	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass, Paper	circa 1920
2026	$1,751	Flush Mount	Plastic, Aluminum	circa 1955
2026	$8,730	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Brass	1950s
2026	$33,280	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Cut Glass, Fabric	1950s
2026	$637	Chandeliers and Pendants	Steel	Contemporary
2026	$14,850	Flush Mount	Blown Glass	circa 1940
2026	$2,000	Flush Mount	Metal, Paint, Copper	Mid-20th Century
2026	$3,600	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Blown Glass	1940
2026	$4,624	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Glass, Brass	1950s
2026	$4,304	Flush Mount	Brass, Textile	Circa 1950s
2026	$3,060	Flush Mount	Opaline Glass, Brass	Circa 1950s
2026	$7,000	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass, Opaline Glass	1940
2026	$2,160	Flush Mount	Brass	Contemporary
2026	$693	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Rattan	Circa 1950
2026	$3,240	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass	Contemporary
2026	$2,227	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass, Milk Glass	1950s
2026	$4,000	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Glass, Brass	1950s
2026	$6,750	Flush Mount	Brass	1950s
2026	$2,808	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass	Contemporary

$6,571

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$1-$74,928

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Paavo Tynell

Lisa Johansson-Pape

Shop All Lisa Johansson-Pape

Taito Oy

Shop All Taito Oy

Idman Oy

Shop All Idman Oy

Gunnel Nyman

Shop All Gunnel Nyman

Stockmann-Orno

Shop All Stockmann-Orno

Oy Stockmann AB

Shop All Oy Stockmann AB

Yki Nummi

Shop All Yki Nummi

Orno Oy

Shop All Orno Oy

Itsu

Shop All Itsu

More Paavo Tynell Designs

Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model 9602

Average Price

$32,531

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

$13,632

Number Available

Starry Sky Ceiling Light Model 9068

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Metal, Brass, Glass, Paint, Wood

Styles

Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern

Shop All

Task Lamp Model 9227

Average Price

$9,450

Number Available

Task Lamp Model 9227

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal

Styles

Scandinavian Modern

Shop All

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

Average Price

$26,199

Number Available

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Glass, Metal

Styles

Scandinavian Modern

Shop All

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.