Alvar Aalto ceiling lamp

This is a pendant light designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, model A110, commonly referred to as the “Hand Grenade” pendant. This particular version is a rare early production from the 1950s, manufactured by Valaistustyö Oy in Finland. Unlike the later variants typically made in painted steel, this example features a solid polished brass cylindrical lower shade, paired with an upper section in off-white painted metal, subtly detailed with a narrow brass trim ring at the top.

The lamp’s design is emblematic of Aalto’s architectural sensibility, combining a simple geometric form with warm metallic surfaces and precision detailing. The perforated ring at the base of the brass shade serves both a decorative and functional purpose, allowing a glow of diffused light to escape while directing the majority of the illumination downward.

Originally created in 1952 for the building of the Finnish Engineers Association in Helsinki, the model A110 reflects Aalto’s focus on both modernism and human-centric lighting. The measured proportions—15 cm in diameter, 45 cm in height for the shade, with an overall drop height of 127 cm.

The lamp is in excellent condition with minimal signs of age. The polished brass exhibits a rich, reflective surface, while the painted upper component remains clean with minor expected wear. This piece represents an early and finely crafted version of a now-iconic Scandinavian modern lighting design.