During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' Table Lamp in Brass and White for Santa & Cole
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Santa & Cole
Located in Glendale, CA
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' table lamp in brass and white for Santa & Cole Founded in 1985 in Barcelona, Santa & Cole produces iconic pieces by such luminaries as llmari Tapiovaara,...
Metal, Brass
Ilmari Tapiovaara, "Maya the bee" table lamp, 1950s, Hienoteräs
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Hienoterä
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover the timeless elegance of the Ilmari Tapiovaara "Maya the Bee" table lamp from the 1950s, an iconic Finnish table lamp inspired by the beloved children's book character. Manu...
Aluminum, Brass
Ilmari Tapiovaara Table Desk Lamp "Maija the Bee" by Hienoteräs, Finland 1950s
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare Finnish mid century cylindrical table / desk lamp “Maija the Bee” in white lacquered shades and brass by Ilmari Tapiovaara produced by Asko / Hienoteräs, Finland 1950s. In ...
Aluminum, Brass
Ilmari Tapiovaara Table Desk Lamp "Maija the Bee" by Hienoteräs, Finland 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare Finnish mid century round desk table lamp with white lacquered cylindrical aluminum shades and brass feet by Ilmari Tapiovaara pro...
Aluminum, Brass
“Maija Mehiläinen” Table Lamp by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland 1955
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Utrecht, NL
With pieces inspired by nature and the tranquility of everyday life, Ilmari Tapiovaara was able to showcase designs that captured the essence of Finnish identity. In a region where d...
Metal, Brass
Maija 15 Table Lamp by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An intimate, classic Scandinavian design. Tapiovaara said that “it is impossible to create a new object without a point of reference—and nature is the best and closest manual for the...
Metal, Brass
Modernist "Maija the Bee" Table Lamp, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finland, 1950s
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking “Maija Mehiläinen” (“Maija the Bee”) table lamp by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Stacked white lacquered lamellas in a tall cylinder form let out a soft light.
Metal
Maija Table Lamp by Ilmari Tapiovaraa for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maija table lamp originally designed in 1955 by Ilmari Tapiovaraa in Finland. Current re-edition manufactured by Santa & Cole in Spain. 4-8 weeks lead time. Metallic lampshade...
Brass, Metal
$1,261 / item
H 5.5 in Dm 5.9 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' Pendant Lamp in Brass and White for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Glendale, CA
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' pendant lamp in brass and white for Santa & Cole Founded in 1985 in Barcelona, Santa & Cole produces iconic pieces by such luminaries as llmari Tapiovaara,...
Metal, Brass
$1,670 / item
H 10.9 in Dm 11.8 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara Large 'Maija' Pendant Lamp in Brass and White for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Glendale, CA
Ilmari Tapiovaara large 'Maija' pendant lamp in brass and white for Santa & Cole Founded in 1985 in Barcelona, Santa & Cole produces iconic pieces by such luminaries as llmari Tapiovaara, Miguel Milá and other European icons with a commitment to faithfully re-edition their legendary designs with uncompromising attention to detail, materials and craftsmanship. The 'Maija' pendant lamp, designed in 1955 by Ilmari Tapiovaara, was inspired from typical Baltic cities, where public lighting was scarce and instead streets were illuminated by light streaming through the window shades...
Metal, Brass
$15,400
H 54.14 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija the Bee' Floor Lamp with Cane and Brass Details
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Hienoteräs, 'Maija the Bee' floor lamp, lacquered brass, lacquered aluminum, brass, cane, Finland, 1955 Ilmari Tapiovaara developed the ‘Maija the Bee’ light...
Metal, Brass
Maija Table Lamp by Ilmari Tapiovaraa for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maija table lamp originally designed in 1955 by Ilmari Tapiovaraa in Finland. Current re-edition manufactured by Santa & Cole in Spain. 4-8 weeks lead time. Metallic lampshade...
Brass, Metal
J. T. Kalmar Table Lamp Form the 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
Teak legs with teak and leather handle made by J. T. Kalmar in the 1950s, model 4375. "Eichhörnchen" (Squirrel). Restored.
Leather, Fabric, Teak
Vintage Table Lamp 1950s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Vintage table lamp in style of Louis Kalf 1950s
Metal
Burl Table Lamp, Finland, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Table lamp, manufactured in Finland, 1950s. Made from burl. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use.
Burl
$2,703 / item
H 26.1 in Dm 14 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' Floor Lamp in Brass and White for Santa & Cole
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Santa & Cole
Located in Glendale, CA
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' floor lamp in brass and white for Santa & Cole Founded in 1985 in Barcelona, Santa & Cole produces iconic pieces by such luminaries as llmari Tapiovaara, Miguel Milá and other European icons with a commitment to faithfully re-edition their legendary designs with uncompromising attention to detail, materials and craftsmanship. The 'Maija' floor lamp, designed in 1955 by Ilmari Tapiovaara, was inspired from typical Baltic cities, where public lighting was scarce and instead streets were illuminated by light streaming through the window shades...
Metal, Brass
$1,218 / item
H 28 in Dm 7.8 in
Básica M2 by Equipo Santa & Cole and Santiago Roqueta for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In defence of warmth. At a time when international trends prevailed with lamps containing tubular metal structures and halogen bulbs, Santa & Cole sought to create a warmer alternati...
Metal
Americana Table Lamp by Miguel Milá for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole, Miguel Milà
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sober tribute to the harmony of swing. The Americana series was designed by Miguel Milá in the mid-1960s to pay tribute to George Hansen’s 1950s lamp collection. The Hansen lamps a...
Steel, Chrome
Maija 15 by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Santa & Cole
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Santa & Cole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
About Maija 30 An intimate, classic Scandinavian design. Tapiovaara said that “it is impossible to create a new object without a point of reference, and nature is the best and closes...
Metal
Gira Table Lamp by J.M. Massana for Santa & Cole
By Santa & Cole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The simplicity and familiar profile of a classic. A base, an arm, a shade; a square, a line, a cone; steel, brass, aluminium; and the magic of light. Gira sums up the basic components of a lamp. These have been reconfigured based on the traditional flexible reading lamp...
Brass, Chrome
"Maija Mehiläinen' Floor Lamp by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Santa & Cole, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Utrecht, NL
The timeless 'Maija Mehiläinen' lamp series was designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1955. The Finnish designer drew his inspiration from Waldermar Bonsel...
Steel
1950s Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija" Tripod Floor Lamps for Asko/Hienoterä
By Hienoterä, Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Glendale, CA
1955, Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' floor lamp for Asko/Hienoterä. A rare original vintage edition made in Finland and executed in painted metal with brass hardware and rattan. This high...
Brass, Metal
Ilmari Tapiovaara Maija Mehiläinen Table Lamp, Finland, 1955
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Utrecht, NL
Designed in 1955 the Maija Mehiläinen (Maya the bee) table lamp is a deliciously simple and elegant piece. Tapiovaara's inspiration for his only house...
Brass, Aluminum
1955 Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija" Floor Lamp for Asko/Hienoterä
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Hienoterä
Located in Glendale, CA
1955, Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Maija' floor lamp for Asko/Hienoterä. A rare original vintage edition made in Finland and in excellent condition. This highly refined and sculptural lamp cas...
Brass, Metal
Ilmari Tapiovaara Table Lamps "Maya the Bee" by Hienoteräs in Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of table lamps “Maya the Bee” designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Produced by Asko/Hienoteräs in Finland.
Brass