Finnish designer, Carin Lisa Johansson-Pape, was among the most significant Finnish lighting designers in the second half of the 1900s. She designed furniture for Stockmann from 1937 and from 1942, she designed for the Stockmann owned lighting factory, Orno. Her attention eventually turned towards lighting, and she co-founded the Illuminating Engineering Society of Finland.

This table lamp has an essentially Nordic modern look, with a combination of interesting material choices and design. The triangular body is made of a solid block of wood and is covered in leather with a polished brass end on the shade’s end. This trio of materials had been very popular throughout the Nordic countries during the mid-century era, as it lent an innovative, modern look to the designs. The body narrows towards the top, creating the traditional look. The lampshade’s empire shape contributes to this look as well, while it also balances out the thick leather wrapped base. The fabric of the shade is quite textural with an elegant and stylish look that stands out even more when the lamp is lit. Combined with the dark leather and brass body, the design offers a variety of points of visual interest.

While this shape of table lamp is fairly common, Lisa Johansson-Pape managed to make this lamp anything but common, which shows her design savvy. While Johansson-Pape was also active as a furniture designer, her lighting designs brought her world-wide fame. Her work was presented in New York’s World Fair of 1939 and the Milan Triennial IX, where she won an award in 1951.

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SOLD

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Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The brass has patina with some marks.

Dimensions:

11.41 in ⌀ x 11.41 in H

29 cm ⌀ x 41.5 cm H

About the designer:

Lisa Johansson-Pape graduated as a furniture designer in 1927. Her career as a designer was long and wide-ranged. Johansson-Pape's furniture was very functional. After graduating in 1927 from the Central School of Arts and Crafts she went on to work for Kylmäkoski designing furniture. In 1933, she joined the Friends of Finnish Handicraft. She designed furniture for Stockmann in 1937 and in 1942 she designed for the Stockmann owned lighting factory Orno. The materials of the luminaires were enamelled metal, acrylic and glass. The technical functionality and practicality of the luminaire was a priority in Johansson-Pape's design.

Her attention turned towards lighting, and she co-founded the Illuminating Engineering Society of Finland, and she became the artistic director of the Friends of Finnish Handicraft from 1951 to 1985. She designed the lumière and lighting solutions for several large spaces in Finland, such as hospitals, churches and ships. Johansson-Pape served as the artistic director of ‘Friends of Finnish Handicrafts’. She was also known as a designer of textiles, rugs and carpets. Johansson-Pape also created installations for 150 churches, including Eckerö Church, Helsinki Children’s Hospital, a rheumatic clinic, and for the ships Ilmatar, Aallotar, Finnpartner, Finnhansa and the icebreaker Karhu.

Lisa Johansson-Pape's works have represented Finland in several international exhibitions since the 1930s. At the Milan Triennial in 1951, her lamps received a silver medal and at the 1954 Triennial a gold medal. Johansson-Pape was awarded the ProFinlandia Medal in 1957. ~H.