The most famous Finnish industrial designer, Paavo Tynell came to be known as the “man who illuminated Finland” thanks to his notable lighting designs. A master craftsman himself, Tynell’s designs were inspired by a traditional aesthetic with a modern sensibility.

In the 1960s, he designed a number of iconic lamps that are still sought after today, including this set of opal glass ceiling lamps with the model number “A2-8”. These lamps embody the sleek and simple aesthetic that characterised Finnish design in the 1960s. Even in the absence of ornamentation or elaborate shapes and forms, there was always an emphasis on interesting materials.

These lamps have a gentle, round shape that is just as soft as the light they diffuse. Opal glass was a popular material for lighting fixtures in the mid-century era, due in part to its ability to soften light. As this set demonstrates, it was also prized for its lustrous, opaque finish, which gives these lamps a sophisticated and refined look. Tynell was a master of working with this material, and his opal glass lamps are some of his most sought-after designs.

Finnish designers like Tynell pushed the boundaries of what was possible with new materials and manufacturing techniques. At the same time, there was a strong emphasis on simplicity and functionality, as designers sought to create objects that were both beautiful and practical. Tynell's “A2-8” ceiling lamp model embodies these qualities perfectly, with clean lines and an elegant, yet functional, design.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some minor chips on edges of glass shades.

Dimensions:

11.61 in Ø x 6.30 in H

29.5 cm Ø x 16 cm H

About the designer:

Paavo Tynell (1890-1973) was an industrial designer, known as the great pioneer of Finnish lighting design and fondly dubbed as “the man who illuminated Finland”.

Tynell was one of the founders and chief designers of Taito Oy – the first industrial producer of 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.

Paavo Tynell rose to prominence in the 1930s and 40s where 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 Alvar Aalto’s major projects including the Paimio Sanatorium and the Viipuri Library.

Tynell was especially appraised through 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 himself, Tynell’s designs were derivative of a traditional aesthetic with a modern sensibility, mixed with an extensive use of perforated and polished brass as material. Marked by delicacy and softness, his most famous forms in lightning echo the structures of nature; he adroitly created sculptural shapes reminiscent of the branches of trees, swirling snowflakes and seashells. ~H.