Paavo Tynell table lamp

This very rare table lamp, model 5066, was designed by Finnish lighting designer Paavo Tynell and produced by Taito Oy during the 1940s. The lamp features a combination of brass, mahogany, and textile materials. Its circular brass base supports a solid mahogany central column that rises vertically to meet the square lampshade. The transition between base and stem is marked by stepped brass detailing that visually anchors the structure and adds subtle decorative interest.

The lampshade is square with gently rounded corners, covered in its original warm cream pleated fabric trimmed with decorative gimp braid. A perforated brass top plate crowns the shade, with holes arranged in a radial pattern designed to diffuse light upward, creating a distinctive decorative glow when illuminated. The brass surfaces have developed a rich patina, particularly on the upper areas, consistent with the lamp’s age. The lamp retains its original fittings and electrical cord.

Paavo Tynell (1890–1973) was one of Finland’s most important 20th-century lighting designers. As co-founder and chief designer of Taito Oy from 1918, Tynell is renowned for merging natural materials with modernist forms and pioneering the use of perforated brass to achieve atmospheric lighting effects. His work is closely linked to Finnish mid-century modernism and the broader international Scandinavian design movement.

Taito Oy was Finland’s leading lighting manufacturer during the interwar and immediate postwar years, producing technically advanced and highly crafted designs under Tynell’s leadership.

This model exemplifies Tynell’s signature approach, balancing craftsmanship, material refinement, and ornamental light diffusion. It remains a historically significant and visually elegant example of early Scandinavian modern lighting design.

The lamp measures 32 centimeters (12.6 inches) in diameter and 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) in height.