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)
Mauri Almari Table Lamp Model 61054 in Brass & Rattan, Idman, 1950s
By Idman Oy, Mauri Almari
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and delicate brass table lamp designed by Mauri Almari and manufactured by Idman in the 1950s in Finland. Despite the small size of this lamp the combination of brass & w...
Brass
Rare Paavo Tynell 'S' Table Lamp 9202 in Full Brass & Rattan Shade, Taito 1940s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito
Located in Helsinki, FI
An unbelievably beautiful table lamp by the master of lightings design Paavo Tynell. This lamp is not only sleek, and very different than the other standard Tynell table lamps, it is...
Brass, Metal
Paavo Tynell Table Lamp Model 5068 in Brass, Birch and Rattan, Taito 1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
Paavo Tynell table lamp model 5068, manufactured by Taito Oy in the 1950s, excellent condition. This is a rare version with a slotted brass leg that hold a birch piece as a handle wh...
Rattan
Paavo Tynell Table Lamp Model 5068, Brass, Wood & Rattan, Taito 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A Paavo Tynell table lamp model 5068, manufactured by Taito Oy in the 1950s. The lamp is in excellent condition. One of the more rarely seen Tynell table lamp models. Please see our ...
Brass, Metal
A Paavo Tynell Perforated Brass and Rattan Table Lamp 9208, Taito 1940s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
Affectionately known by a few charming nicknames—the "Cow Bell," "Church Bell," "Hat Lamp," or even "Snufkin" after the beloved Tove Jansson character—this iconic Paavo Tynell table ...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Table Lamp Model 5066, Perforated Brass, Rattan & Wood, Taito 1950s
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
This table lamp, model no. 5066 by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy from the 1950s is a classic. It has a brass round stand, a hard wooden leg and a beautiful clean lined light mahogany col...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Table Lamp in Brass, Rattan & Wood
By Taito, Paavo Tynell
Located in Zurich, CH
Beautiful desk lamp by Paavo Tynell, renowned Finnish designer. Fantastic condition, stamped on the underside 'Taito'.
Brass
Mid Century Modern Vintage Rattan Bamboo Dome Shade Table Lamp 1960s Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern Organic vintage coffee brown table lamp from rattan and bamboo 1960s Italy. A fantastic huge ( height 73 cm ) organic table lamp made of rattan and curved bamboo ...
Bamboo, Rattan
Paavo Tynell model 5068 for Taito circa 1940, Brass & wood straw.
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Paavo Tynell table lamp model 5068 made by Taito Oy, The lamp is made in solid brass with a wood handel and a wood straw shade. Good original condition, the lamp is stamp by the edit...
Brass
Oversized flush mount lighting by Paavo Tynell / 2 available.
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Long Island City, NY
Oversized flush mount lighting designed by Paavo Tynell for Taito/ Idman Finland. Model 2016. Opaline glass shade with wooden shade with (2) Edison type sockets. Stamped IDMAN. Rewir...
Blown Glass
Swedish Brass Table Lamp with Rattan Shade by EWÅ Värnamo, 1960s
By Ewå Värnamo
Located in Karis, Nyland
This charming Swedish brass table lamp was produced by EWÅ Värnamo in the 1960s and exemplifies the era’s warm, natural material palette and Scandinavian modernist sensibility. The s...
Brass
Midcentury Swedish Teak and Rattan Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This large and elegant Scandinavian Modern table lamp was designed and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. It features a teak tripod base with a rattan conical lampshade and requires one E27 bulb. An awesome design with period style tapered teak stem and legs. Very good original condition with minor wear. The light has been rewired with amber colored fabric cord for use in any country of the world. It has got a European Continental...
Rattan, Teak
