Paavo Tynell ceiling lamp

This rare ceiling lamp, model 9029/4, was designed by Finnish lighting pioneer Paavo Tynell and produced by Taito Oy in Finland during the 1950s. The lamp is composed of a central brass structure from which four pale blue opaline glass shades extend outward like stylized floral petals. The overall form draws clear inspiration from natural motifs, with each light source cradled within a delicate assembly of brass stems, pressed mesh-metal leaves, and spiral floral filaments. These ornamental elements radiate symmetrically around the central body, echoing the botanical romanticism often seen in Tynell’s work.

The materials include opaline glass for the shades, which emit a diffused and warm glow when lit, and brass for the structural and decorative framework. The brass elements are patinated with visible signs of oxidation and wear consistent with age. The opaline glass shows small damage and wear in some areas, but all components remain intact and functionally stable. The fine brass foliage, with its filigree-like metalwork and gauze-textured leaves, contributes to the light’s ethereal and intricate character, softening the visual mass of the composition.

Paavo Tynell (1890–1973) was a leading Finnish designer renowned for his poetic and nature-inspired approach to lighting. A co-founder of Taito Oy in 1918, Tynell was instrumental in shaping modern Finnish lighting design. His luminaires often combine industrial rigor with graceful ornamentation, blending traditional craftsmanship with modernist sensibilities. Tynell’s lighting pieces were widely appreciated in Finland and internationally, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s, and remain highly collectible today.

Taito Oy was Finland’s foremost lighting manufacturer during the mid-20th century and was closely associated with Tynell’s designs. The firm was known for its exceptional craftsmanship, attention to materiality, and elegant interpretations of modern design, frequently integrating subtle decorative elements into otherwise functional lighting.

This lamp is in good vintage condition with age-appropriate signs of usage, including a small chip or flaw in one of the glass shades and patina on the brass surfaces. The lamp measures 45 centimeters in diameter and 68 centimeters in height, equivalent to approximately 17.7 inches by 26.8 inches. As both a lighting fixture and decorative object, this piece typifies the poetic modernism of Scandinavian postwar design and reflects Paavo Tynell’s singular ability to merge engineering precision with delicate artistry.