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 |
| $6,885 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
$17,406
H 22.45 in Dm 31.5 in
Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9030 in Brass & Original Shades, Taito 1940s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful five-light chandelier, model 9030, designed by Paavo Tynell and manufactured by Taito Oy in Finland in the 1940s. This example retains its original shades in linen over c...
Brass
$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...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Flush Mount Light by Taito, Brass & Opaline Glass, 1951
By Taito, Paavo Tynell
Located in Vienna, AT
Paavo Tynell Flush Mount by Taito, 1950-1960, stamped (Oy Taito) Rare ceiling light by Paavo Tynell that was produced in small numbers for a specific project. This ever so iconic li...
Brass
Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy Ceiling Light with Original Shade
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
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...
Opaline Glass, Wood
Paavo Tynell table lamp model 5066 for Taito circa 1950
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
The Paavo Tynell model 5066 table lamp for Taito has a compact, almost architectural presence, softened by its combination of brass, wood and a finely pleated shade.A round brass foo...
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 Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
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...
Brass, Steel
Elegant Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9445' Wall Light in Brass
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
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...
Brass
$8,247 / set
H 10.63 in Dm 9.85 in
Set of 6 Paavo Tynell ’80112-25’ Glass Ceiling Lights, Idman, Finland, 1950s
By Idman Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Karis, Nyland
A set of six Model ’80112-25’ ceiling lights designed by Paavo Tynell and manufactured by Idman in Finland during the 1950s. Each light consists of a simple rounded milk glass shade ...
Metal
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $6,885 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $295-$83,101 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
Commissioned for the lakeside villa of a Finnish industrialist, it illuminated visits with dignitaries.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
This circa 1950 piece by the legendary Finnish lighting designer spent the past several decades in a family's home in Michigan.
