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

$6,845

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Paavo Tynell

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

Task Lamp Model 9227

Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model 9602

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

Starry Sky Ceiling Light Model 9068

Paavo Tynell Perforated Brass and Leather Floor Lamp Model 9608, Taito 1950s

$105,092

H 50.4 in W 11.03 in D 18.12 in

Paavo Tynell Perforated Brass and Leather Floor Lamp Model 9608, Taito 1950s

By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful and rare model 9608 floor lamp by Paavo Tynell for Taito, designed in the mid-1940s. Affectionately nicknamed “löylykauha,” Finnish for “sauna ladle,” the model takes its...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9030 in Brass & Original Shades, Taito 1940s

$17,463

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...

Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell Flush Mount Light by Taito, Brass & Opaline Glass, 1951

$12,800

H 10.5 in Dm 15.35 in

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...

Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

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

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 '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 for Idman Model 9007/8 Chandelier in Brass & Milk Glass, Finland

$24,000

H 38 in W 31 in D 31 in

Paavo Tynell for Idman Model 9007/8 Chandelier in Brass & Milk Glass, Finland

By Idman, Paavo Tynell

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Designed by Finnish master metalsmith and lighting designer Paavo Tynell, this model was produced in very low numbers. Unlike the typical 9007 models, this one forgoes the additional...

Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell table lamp model 5066 for Taito circa 1950

$14,935

H 16.93 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in

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...

Category

1940s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass

Browse all Furniture from Paavo Tynell

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Paavo Tynell Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$4,292	Chandeliers and Pendants	Paint, Walnut, Wood, Bakelite, Chrome, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Metal	Circa 1928
2026	$10,555	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Glass, Brass	1950s
2026	$1,274	Chandeliers and Pendants	Steel	Contemporary
2026	$3,078	Flush Mount	Metal, Brass	Contemporary
2026	$3,749	Floor Lamps	Brass	1960s
2026	$2,808	Chandeliers and Pendants, Flush Mount	Brass	Contemporary
2026	$4,400	Chandeliers and Pendants	Rope, Metal, Wood, Glass, Brass	1930-1940
2026	$1,786	Flush Mount	Metal, Glass	1960s
2026	$400	Candlesticks	Brass	1960s
2026	$4,400	Flush Mount	Opal, Glass	1930s
2026	$3,345	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass, Opaline Glass	circa 1930
2026	$2,500	Wall Lights and Sconces	Lucite, Brass	1960s
2026	$3,780	Wall Lights and Sconces	Aluminum, Lacquer, Brass	Circa 1961
2026	$9,900	Chandeliers and Pendants	Art Glass	Circa 1940th
2026	$6,609	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Brass, Glass	1950s
2026	$6,842	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Glass, Brass	1960s
2026	$3,850	Table Lamps, More Lighting	Metal, Brass	circa 1950s
2026	$7,615	Chandeliers and Pendants	Plastic, Metal, Brass	1950s
2026	$4,019	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass, Opaline Glass, String	1930
2026	$38,589	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass	1950

$6,845

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$295-$83,101

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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More Paavo Tynell Designs

Task Lamp Model 9227

Average Price

$7,414

Number Available

Task Lamp Model 9227

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal

Styles

Scandinavian Modern

Shop All

Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model 9602

Average Price

$23,562

Number Available

Paavo Tynell Floor Lamp Model 9602

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal, Natural Fiber, Rattan, Wicker

Styles

Mid Century Modern

Shop All

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

Average Price

$23,013

Number Available

Paavo Tynell Chandelier Model 9029

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal, Glass

Styles

Scandinavian Modern

Shop All

Starry Sky Ceiling Light Model 9068

Average Price

$17,538

Number Available

Starry Sky Ceiling Light Model 9068

By Paavo Tynell

Materials

Brass, Metal, Glass, Wood

Styles

Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century 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.