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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur

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It is simply impossible to talk about 20th century Finnish lighting design without mentioning Paavo Tynell. Widely referred to as “The Man who Illuminated Finland”, Tynell not only founded Oy Taito AB, he also founded an unmistakeable aesthetic and created hundreds of individual lighting models.

His world-renowned and often extremely rare works are mostly formed from perforated and polished brass, however, his early lamps had a chandelier inspired design and during the 1920s, the use of glass became an increasingly important part of his lamps. This model is special for a number of reasons besides its rarity. Firstly, the material: Tynell mostly only used wrought iron in the earlier phase of his career, designing richly decorated chandeliers that preceded the modernist movement’s widespread influence. Secondly, like many of his creations, this “1709” model might have been a one-off, designed for a specific place. Thirdly, very few of his iron models were paired with glass shades. Here, the upward facing glass shades are placed at the end of the four arms. Their gently rounded shape and colour stand out beautifully against the black iron and the richly decorated body. On the list of decorative elements are the ring on the finial, the rod adorned with floral elements, the curves of the arms, and finally, the way the rod connects to the canopy. These features make this chandelier an early example of Tynell’s expressiveness that drew inspiration from previous design movements and eras.

Tynell was a master of peculiar decorative elements that never feel tacky or excessive and this is mainly thanks to his great sense of balance. In 1918 Tynell founded Oy Taito AB, which eventually became the Finnish lighting industry trendsetter during the interwar period. This rare chandelier model from the 1930s can easily draw all the attention while not compromising on quality and functionality.‎

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:

23.23 in Ø x 29.13 in H

59 cm Ø x 74 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”.

Tyne 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.