‎Designed in 1955, this Maija Mehiläinen (Maya the Bee) floor lamp is a simple, yet elegant piece. Tapiovaara's inspiration for this household lamp came from Maya the Bee herself, a friendly character from a 1912 German children’s book, that was also the basis to the widely acclaimed and loved comic strips.

In his clear and simple design style, Tapiovaara created a column of small metal superimposed discs from which the light glows as if coming from a shimmering beehive. Thin brass knobs and tubes fixate the discs arranged in a symmetric and rhythmic way. The partially cane wrapped stem and brass rings just underneath the shades form a nice contrast with the white lacquered aluminium. The lamp is kept in place by its three-legged base with round shoes. The original long-tube incandescent bulb, spreading diffused warm light, can be turned on by pulling the small drawstring. This lamp was manufactured by Asko/Hienoteräs Finland.

The interior is impressed with the manufacturer’s name: “HIENOTERAS”.

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SOLD

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Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some minor scratches on the base of the lamp.

Dimensions:

5.12 in/ Ø x 18.11 in Ø x 54.73 in H

13 cm Ø /46 cm Ø x 139 cm H

Literature:

Asko: Satojen Mahdollisuuksien Mallistoa Tavoite Kotiin, sales catalogue, n.p. for the standard and table lamp

Ornamo: Finsk Konst Industri, Helsinki, 1962, p. 50, fig. 200 for the table lamp

About the designer:

Ilmari Tapiovaara graduated in 1937 as interior architect from the department of furniture design of the Central School of Arts and Crafts. Even before graduating, Tapiovaara went abroad to work for Alvar Aalto in Artek's London office in 1935. Right after completing his education Tapiovaara got a position of assistant at the office of Le Corbusier, in France. These were not the only times he learned from international masters; he also worked with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Chicago, in 1953. Read more about Ilmari Tapiovaara. ~H.