PAAVO TYNELL | FLOOR LAMP, MODEL NO. 9619

Finland House, New York

Acquired from the above by the present owner

Rathbone Holme and Kathleen M. Frost, ed., The Studio Yearbook of Furnishing and Decoration 1953-1954, vol. 43, London, 1954, p. 67

Alexander Koch, Modern Lighting of the ‘50s, Stuttgart, 2012, p. 46

The present lot is the perfect embodiment of Paavo Tynell's design philosophy of creating harmony between living and lighting. Tynell trained as a master metalsmith in his native Finland, and soon after opened his metal workshop Oy Taito Ab in 1918. Through his company, Tynell worked closely with architect Alvar Aalto to create the lighting for iconic structures of modern design, including the Paimio Sanatorium, the Viipuri Library, and the Savoy Restaurant. Our floor lamp was originally purchased from Finland House, which was a boutique showroom and restaurant located in New York that sought to bring "the beauty, utility, and versatility" of Finnish design to an American audience. In addition to selling Tynell's designs in the showroom, Oy Taito Ab designed the lighting for Finland House.

In this floor lamp, Tynell simplified lighting down to its absolute essential nature, while keeping function foremost in mind. Every detail was carefully considered, as even the center handle to this lamp is wrapped in leather, contrasting beautifully with the primary material of brass. In his lighting, Tynell strove to capture the changing qualities of nature. Natural references were an important element to Tynell's designs as they often feature delicately curling stems, unfurling tendrils and twirling petals, which makes his work appear as though it is alive with growth. In this lot, the sheen of the brass material is only enhanced by the simplicity of the conical light heads, which feature Tynell's signature perforation that, when lit, calls to mind twinkling stars in the night sky.