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)
Finnish Candelabra by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, 1920/30s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant and very decorative seven-light candelabra designed by Paavo Tynell. Executed in tinned brass with gracefully sweeping volute-shaped arms and subtle ornamental details in a r...
Brass, Pewter
Candlestick by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, 1920/1930s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Candlestick by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy from the 1920/1930s. Tin. Marked on the bottom. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use.
Tin
Pair of Paavo Tynell Candle Sticks For Taito Oy, 1920s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of Paavo Tynell candle sticks for Taito Oy, 1920s. Metal. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. Paavo Tynell (1890-1973) is one of the most important nam...
Metal
Set of Three Paavo Tynell Candel Holders circa 1960, Nickel Brass
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
After retirement, Paavo Tynell continued to conduct his own project and design by making those candelabres by himself in the late 60's. He produced a small collection of those in nic...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Candelholder circa 1960, Nikel Brass
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
At the end of his artistic journey Paavo Tynell himself handcraft one last collection of candelholder that this model is part of. Made in nickel brass this candel holders is made of ...
Brass
$2,785Sale Price|24% Off
H 14.38 in W 20.08 in D 5.52 in
Brass Candelabra by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, 1920s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Brass candelabra by Paavo Tynell. Made in Finland by Taito in the 1920/1930s. This piece is a classic Paavo Tynell chandelier for Taito Oy, which was made in different sizes. Mar...
Brass
Pair of Sculptural Ceramic Candle Sticks
Located in Millbrook, NY
Pair of Pale Terracotta Handmade Sculptural Candleholders from South America. These candlesticks are hand built with a rustic yet modern sensibility. The rounded shaped footings give...
Clay, Terracotta
$479 / set
H 1.5 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Pair Crown Candleholders in solid Brass by Pierre Forssell Skultuna Sweden 1960s
By Pierre Forssell, Skultuna, Jens Quistgaard, Paavo Tynell, Pierre Forsell
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A pair of candle-sticks made of solid brass, created by Pierre Forssell. Designed by Pierre Forssell and manufactured in Sweden by Skultuna. The company was founded by King Carl IX...
Brass
Set of Three, One Bird Brass Tea Light Wide Candle-holders
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Set of three, each of those original and elegant brass T-light holders is handmade individually. Cast using very traditional techniques, they are polished revealing the lustrous fini...
Brass
$34,270 / set
H 22.64 in W 22.05 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Wrought Iron Candelabra by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, Finland, 1920
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Kangasala, FI
An exceptionally rare pair of wrought iron candelabra KJ12 designed by Paavo Tynell and produced by Taito Oy in Finland during the 1920s. These sculptural candelabra beautifully ill...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Cobra Candle Holders - France, Circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exotic pair of brass candlesticks with intricate etched pattern and red enamel finish.
$1,390 / set
H 11.42 in W 8.67 in D 4.93 in
A pair of silverplated Candelabras by GAB, Swedish Grace 1920/30s.
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of timeless Swedish Grace silver-plated candelabras with beautiful details by Guldaktiebolaget / GAB. With makers mark, GAB NS (silver-plated) Smaller/normal signs of age a...
Silver Plate
Paavo Tynell Candelabra Model KJ-14 From 1930's By Taito Oy
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Kangasala, FI
Paavo Tynell KJ14 Candelabra, Taito Oy, Finland. This specific candelabra is in mint condition, as seen on the photos. An exceptional example of Finnish mid-century design, the KJ14...
Brass
Bronze Art Deco Candlestick by Sune Backstrom, Sweden, 1930s
By Just Andersen, Einar Backstrom, Sune Bäckström, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Malmö, SE
An Art Deco / Swedish Grace bronze candelstick with amazing patina. Designed by Sune Bäckström in Malmoe, Sweden, 1920s. Good condition, with some wear to the patination and light...
Bronze
$3,415 / set
H 7.09 in W 5.91 in D 3.15 in
Paavo Tynell & Taito, Pair of Art Deco Silver Plated Candelabra, Finland, 1930s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Pair of Art Deco silver plated metal candelabra by Paavo Tynell. Model 8026. Made in Finland by Taito in the 1930s. Manufacturer's stamp on both. Literature: OY Taito AB catalo...
Pewter
GAB, Small Candlesticks, Pewter, Sweden, 1930s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pewter candlesticks designed and produced by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s. Holds 0.5” diameter candles
Pewter
Set of Three Brass Cups Designed by Paavo Tynell for Taito, circa 1940
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Impressive set of three decorative objects design by Paavo Tynell and produced in the 40's by TAITO OY. The three cups are made in fine layers of brass with decorative details on eac...
Brass
$1,142Sale Price|37% Off
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 2.76 in
P. Chiesa for Fontana Arte Thick Glass and Chromed Brass Candel Holder 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Palermo, IT
Very stylish five-prism candle holder, with ladder heights, in thick Nile green glass, with compartments for candles and connecting elements, in chromed brass. Attributable to Pietro...
Brass
$1,534Sale Price|24% Off
H 10.44 in W 8.67 in D 3.75 in
Small Brass Candelabra by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, 1920s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
A Classic Paavo Tynell Bronze Candelabra This small candelabra is a classic design by Finnish architect and designer Paavo Tynell. It was made in ...
Brass
Paavo Tynell, brass vase made by Taito, circa 1940.
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Paavo Tynell bowl made in solid brass by Taito oy during the 40's in finland. The bowl is made in solid brass with decoration carving. The bowl is in really overhall condition and is stamp by TAITO. Paavo Tynell is one of the leading designer of its time and insipred many other scandinavian designer such as Alvar Aalto, Axel Einar Hjorth, Hans Agne Jakobsson or Josef Franck.
Brass
Sold
H 6.7 in Dm 2.96 in
Set of Three Model 8023 Candlesticks by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, 1920/1930s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of three model 8023 candlesticks by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy from the 1920/1930s. Tin. Marked on the bottom. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. The cand...
Tin