Set of Four of Paavo Tynell "80112" Ceiling Lamps for Idman, Finland ca 1950s














Set of Four of Paavo Tynell "80112" Ceiling Lamps for Idman, Finland ca 1950s
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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur
By the 1950s, Finland’s international reputation for great design was established, thanks in no small part to the work of Paavo Tynell. He was the most famous Finnish industrial designer and came to be known as “the man who illuminated Finland”, thanks to his notable lighting models. As a master craftsman, his designs were inspired by a traditional aesthetic with a modern sensibility.
Tynell’s ceiling lamp series that this piece belongs to merge together simple shapes and sculptural elements. From the 1930s through the 1950s, he designed a number of iconic lamps that are still sought after today, including these “80112” milk glass ceiling lamps. The pieces embody the sleek and simple aesthetic that characterised Finnish lighting design of the mid-century period. Still, even in the absence of ornamentation, there was a deep emphasis on great materials. Milk glass, appropriately named for its opaque or transparent pure ivory white tone, was first created in Venice in the 16th century, 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 constructing home accents. This lamp model has an eye-catching blunted cone shape with a strong presence sticking out - quite literally. Still, the edges are soft, creating an organic shape. Thanks to the concealed aluminium ceiling holders, these lamps are flush mounted without any exposed parts but the glass shades. Tynell was a master of working with milk glass, and these models are some of his most sought-after designs.
The mid-century period was a time of great innovation in Finnish design, as creatives like Tynell and manufacturers like Idman pushed the boundaries of what was possible with new materials and manufacturing techniques. The best qualities of the era’s light fixtures are their atmospheric glow and disciplined, functionalist design. This lamp set embodies these qualities perfectly.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The lamps have recently been rewired and reconditioned. Minor marks, scratches and imperfections on the glass may be present due to manufacturing inconsistencies and the age of the lamps.
Dimensions:
11.61 in ø x 11.81 in H
29.5 cm ø x 30 cm H
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 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 models. As a master craftsman, his 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 set of four 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 rounded 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 set, 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 these lamps embody those qualities particularly well. The 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. Due to the age and nature of the materials, the lamps have marks, scratches, 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