Opal Glass Ceiling Lamp by Gunnel Nyman (Attr.) for Idman, Finland 1950s














Opal Glass Ceiling Lamp by Gunnel Nyman (Attr.) for Idman, Finland 1950s
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
Gunnel Nyman (19 September 1909 – 7 October 1948) was a Finnish glass and metal artist, and one of the leading figures of modern Finnish glass design. During the post-war era she transitioned to glassware and collaborated or worked on commission with various glassworks including Riihimäki, Karhula-Iittala and Nuutajärvi. She was also an advocate of early mass-produced glassware, with her work featuring organic lines and focusing on the characteristics of glass itself.
This ceiling lamp embodies the sleek and simple aesthetic that characterised Finnish design in the 1950s. Even in the absence of ornamentation, there was always an emphasis on interesting materials. Milk glass, appropriately named for its opaque or transparent ivory white tone, was first created in Venice in the 16th century, and was known as Lattimo. At that time, it was widely used for decorative purposes and continued to be popular during the 20th century, when the material was used for home accents to decorate households. This lamp has an eye-catching rounded cone shape, with a blunted end and soft edges. Thanks to the concealed ceiling holder, the piece is flush mounted, staying close to the ceiling and allowing the glass shade to remain the focal point of the design. Nyman was a master of working with milk glass, and her lamps of this material are some of her most sought-after designs. She considered material an essential factor in design. Form, proportion and decoration were only there to enhance the properties inherent in the material. The Finnish design blueprint that was set during the first few decades of the 1900s is based on characteristics that can be traced in this lamp model: functionality, an understated, unornamented design created from high quality materials - and most importantly, by a skilled craftsperson.
Although Gunnel Nyman’s career was cut short by an untimely death, she had enough time to give a new direction to Finnish glass design. At the Milan Triennial in 1951, Nyman was awarded the gold medal for glass posthumously.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The lamp has recently been reconditioned and rewired. Minor marks, scratches and imperfections on the glass may be present due to manufacturing inconsistencies and the age of the item. This lamp is compatible with an E(27) fitting. Due to the age of the lamp we recommend using LED bulbs.
Dimensions:
11.82 in ⌀ x 10.83 in H
30 cm ⌀ x 27.5 cm H
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
Paavo Tynell was one of Finland’s most important lighting designers and came to be known as the “man who illuminated Finland”, thanks to his notable lighting models. As a master craftsman, Tynell’s designs combined a traditional aesthetic with a modern sensibility and an extensive use of glass and brass. His work with Idman followed the company’s acquisition of the majority of shares in Taito Oy in 1953, after which Tynell continued designing on a freelance basis.
This pair of model “80113” ceiling lamps embodies the sleek and simple aesthetic that characterised Finnish lighting design of the mid-century period. Tynell’s designs merge together simple shapes and carefully considered materials. Each lamp has an eye-catching, shallow milk glass shade with a broad upper section and a softly curved lower profile. The opaque ivory-white glass conceals the light source while allowing the illumination to spread evenly across the entire shade. The edges are just as soft as the light the lamps emit, giving the glass an organic shape despite the simplicity of the design. Thanks to the concealed ceiling holders, the lamps are flush mounted without any prominent exposed parts other than the glass shades. This keeps the construction visually clean and leaves the attention on the material and the quality of the illumination. When lit, the milk glass produces a warm, atmospheric glow and emphasises the smooth curvature of the shades. Used as a pair, the repetition of the same compact form creates an effective rhythm across a ceiling while distributing light over a larger area.
The best qualities of Finnish mid-century light fixtures are their atmospheric glow and disciplined, functional design, and this pair embodies these qualities particularly well. Their construction makes them suitable for hallways, bedrooms or rooms with lower ceilings, while the simple glass forms integrate naturally into the surrounding architecture. Combining Tynell’s sensitivity to light with Idman’s Finnish manufacture, the model “80113” lamps offer an elegant example of his more restrained ceiling designs.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The lamps have recently been reconditioned. There are minor dents and scratches in the metal. Due to the age and nature of the materials, the lamp may have marks, and discolouration. Additional imperfections on the glass may be present due to manufacturing inconsistencies and age. All lighting can be converted for US usage.
Dimensions:
9.84 in ø x 4.72 in H
25 cm ø x 12 cm H