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Lisa Johansson-Pape

Finnish, 1907-1989

Lisa Johansson-Pape is one of the most recognized mid-century Finnish lighting designers, having earned this distinction — in her eyes — unintentionally.

Johansson-Pape began her career as a furniture designer for Kylmäkosku and Stockmann before turning her focus to lighting in the early 1940s for Stockmann-owned lighting manufacturer Orno, where she partnered with designer Yki Nummi. A graduate of Finland’s Central School of Arts and Crafts, Johansson-Pape was famously quoted as having attributed the success of her vintage table lamps, floor lamps and sconces to an “accident.”

“By education, I am a furniture designer, but I had to make lamps during the war," she explained. Her distinctive style sees a balance of clean aesthetics and a prioritization of practicality and function.

Johansson-Pape was a multidisciplinary engineer and designer who created space for women in many industries. She collaborated on a number of high-profile projects through a variety of partnerships, most notably with the glassblowers of Iittala during the 1950s, designing celebrated lighting fixtures for public spaces such as the Helsinki Children’s Hospital. She also collaborated on installations at 150 churches, including the famous Eckerö Church in Finland.

In 1951, Johansson-Pape was awarded the silver medal at the Triennale di Milano, and in 1954, she was awarded the gold medal for her design of the Sipuli, or Onion lamp. This was merely the start of a lifetime of awards and accolades for Johansson-Pape. She won the Pro-Finlandia prize in 1957 for her design of the Laura pendant lamp, and her other iconic lighting designs include the Belle pendant lamp and the Senator floor lamp.

Johansson-Pape’s work, which frequently saw an integration of acrylic and enamled brass alongside its glass components, was featured at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York and the “Design In Scandinavia” exhibition, which traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada in the 1950s. Her “Rya” textile exhibition debuted in Helsinki and toured Europe in 1956. In 1966, she took part in a joint exhibition in Stockholm with her friend, textile artist Dora Jung.

Lisa Johansson-Pape was an inspiring pioneer of design — she was passionate about traditional Finnish design and worked to build a community and platform for female designers and architects. Through her work at Friends of Finnish Handicraft — for which she designed textiles — Johansson-Pape supported several national movements in textile design and was the organization’s Artistic Director for more than three decades. She was also a recognized public speaker and author, having lectured on the subjects of furniture design, lighting and Scandinavian modernism

Find vintage Lisa Johansson-Pape stools, chandeliers and other furniture on 1stDibs. 

Average Sold Price
$3,152
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Iconic Designs from Lisa Johansson-Pape
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Lisa Johansson Pape Onion Pendant
Lisa Johansson Pape Onion Pendant
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Floor Lamp
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Floor Lamp
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Table Lamp
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Table Lamp
Lisa Johansson Pape Belle Pendant
Lisa Johansson Pape Belle Pendant
Lisa Johansson-Pape 'Lisa' Floor Lamp for Innolux Oy
By Innolux Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Glendale, CA
Lisa Johansson-Pape 'Lisa' floor lamp for Innolux Oy. Originally produced in the 1950s by Orno, this newly authorized re-edition of the iconic lamp is made by Innolux in Finland usin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Brass

Lisa Johansson-Pape 'Senator' Table Lamp
By Paavo Tynell, Innolux Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Glendale, CA
Lisa Johansson-Pape 'Senator' table lamp. An iconic table lamp design by the Finnish master executed in brass, painted aluminum shade, acrylic diffuser and hand-wrapped leather. An a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Metal, Brass

Lisa Johansson-Pape Glass 'Belle' Pendant
By Innolux Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Glendale, CA
Lisa Johansson-Pape glass 'Belle' pendant. These newly produced authorized re-editions are executed in hand blown in thick opaline glass with white cord and white metal canopy. Ori...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Metal

Leather Table Lamp, Lisa Johansson-Pape, Orno Oy, 1950s
By Orno Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Helsinki, FI
Table lamp, designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape, manufactured by Orno Oy, 1950s. Leather, brass details. Stockmann fabric shade. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age ...
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1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Brass

Lisa Johansson-Papé Ceiling Pendant Model 61-347 for Orno
By Orno Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Helsinki, FI
This UFO like shaped lamp was quite popular in Finland in the 1950s, and still is. today. It is found in public buildings as in private residences. This lamp is stamped twice, on th...
Category

1950s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Metal, Brass

1950 Lisa Johansson Pape - Ceiling lamp brass, opaline glass
By Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Milan, IT
Carin Lisa Johansson-Pape née Johansson (21 January 1907 – 5 October 1989) was a Finnish designer, best known for her work in lighting. She was the most significant Finnish lighting ...
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1950s Finnish Vintage Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Metal

Lisa Johansson-Pape, Table Lamp, Glass, Copper, Finland, 1960s
By Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in High Point, NC
A white-colored glass and copper table lamp designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape and produced by Ornö, Finland, 1960s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 15” H x 8.25”  Diameter Dimensions of ...
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1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Copper

A Beautiful and Lively Lisa Johansson-Papé Ceiling Lamp Model 71-115, Orno 1950s
By Orno Oy, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful ceiling lamp by Finnish designer Lisa Johansson-Papé from the 1950s. An absolute gem harmoniously combining esthetics and functionality. This lamp design was ori...
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lisa Johansson-Pape

Materials

Metal

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Creators Similar to Lisa Johansson-Pape

More Lisa Johansson-Pape Designs
Lisa Johansson Pape Onion Pendant
Lisa Johansson Pape Onion Pendant
Average Price
$1,963
Number Available
6
Lisa Johansson Pape Onion Pendant
By Lisa Johansson-Pape
Materials
Glass, Metal, Aluminum, Blown Glass, Opaline Glass
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Floor Lamp
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Floor Lamp
Average Price
$9,405
Number Available
5
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Floor Lamp
By Lisa Johansson-Pape
Materials
Metal, Brass, Animal Skin, Leather, Plastic
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Shop All
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Table Lamp
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Table Lamp
Average Price
$5,264
Number Available
3
Lisa Johansson Pape Senator Table Lamp
By Lisa Johansson-Pape
Materials
Animal Skin, Brass, Leather, Metal, Aluminum
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Lisa Johansson Pape Belle Pendant
Lisa Johansson Pape Belle Pendant
Average Price
$2,368
Number Available
3
Lisa Johansson Pape Belle Pendant
By Lisa Johansson-Pape
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Blown Glass, Brass, Glass, Opaline Glass, Plastic
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Shop All

Lisa Johansson-pape furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Lisa Johansson-Pape 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 Lisa Johansson-Pape furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 110 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 24 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Lisa Johansson-Pape 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 Stockmann-Orno , Yki Nummi, and Taito Oy. Prices for Lisa Johansson-Pape furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $832 and can go as high as $37,737, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,609.

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