Ilmari Tapiovaara floor lamp
A rare and early “Maija the Bee” (Maija Mehiläinen) floor lamp designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by Hienoteräs in Finland during the 1950s. This iconic model is one of Tapiovaara’s most celebrated lighting designs, capturing both sculptural precision and poetic charm through its rhythmic form and masterful use of materials.
The lamp’s distinctive shade is composed of stacked metal discs, painted in a soft off-white tone. These overlapping elements create a warm, diffused light while evoking the segmented body of a honeybee—a playful and organic reference that gives the lamp its name. The slender, vertical frame accentuates the tower-like silhouette, balancing the layered geometry of the shade with a sense of lightness and continuity.
A hand-wrapped cane detail around the stem introduces a tactile, natural contrast to the industrial precision of the metal structure, while brass fittings subtly enhance the lamp’s refined character. The result is a striking interplay of materials—metal, brass, and cane—demonstrating Tapiovaara’s deep understanding of human scale and his ability to merge functional clarity with expressive design.
In good vintage condition with signs of use and patina consistent with age, reflecting the lamp’s authenticity and historical significance.
Dimensions are 14 cm in diameter and 139 cm high (5.5 x 54.7 in)
Dimensions (cm) | H: 139 / ⌀: 14 |
| Producer | Hienoteräs |
| Color | Grey, White |
| Decade | 1950s |
| Country | Finland |
| Style | Mid Century, Scandinavian Modern |
| Material | Brass, Cane, Metal, Paint |
| Designed in | 1950s |
| Item Number | 122359 |
Ilmari Tapiovaara
