Lisa Johansson-Pape ceiling lamp
This rare ceiling lamp, designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape in the 1950s and produced by Orno in Finland, exemplifies the refined functionalism and luminous control characteristic of Scandinavian mid-century lighting design. The lamp strikes a perfect balance between industrial precision and domestic warmth, featuring a clean geometric form and carefully modulated light diffusion.
The fixture is crafted from solid brass and frosted glass. The shade is shaped like a shallow, wide cone with a smoothly curved profile. The brass surface has developed a naturally aged patina, displaying warm golden tones interspersed with subtle oxidation speckling, which adds depth to the overall design without compromising the structural integrity. Around the lower perimeter of the brass shade is a series of evenly spaced vertical cut-outs, forming a perforated ring. These slits allow a controlled amount of light to escape, contributing to the ambient glow while also acting as a decorative motif that enhances the lamp’s visual appeal.
The underside of the fixture is covered with a round frosted glass diffuser, mounted flush with the lower rim of the brass shade. The glass is secured by a central finial and serves to conceal the bulb housing. It also softens and evenly distributes the downward light, resulting in smooth, glare-free illumination—ideal for spaces such as dining rooms, foyers, or sitting areas.
The lamp is suspended from a central rod that is attached to a tapered brass ceiling cup, maintaining the fixture’s formal language of understated elegance and mechanical clarity. The clean lines of the suspension system complement the overall design and further emphasize its simplicity and functionality.
Lisa Johansson-Pape (1907–1989) was a central figure in Finnish design, celebrated for her architectural lighting concepts and collaborations with Orno, Finland’s leading lighting manufacturer of the time. Johansson-Pape’s work is known for its clarity of form and her ability to sculpt space through light. She focused on achieving harmony between material, shape, and the behavior of light, a principle clearly evident in this lamp.
The lamp’s dimensions are 60 cm in diameter and 45 cm in height (approximately 23.6 inches wide and 17.7 inches tall). It is in very good vintage condition, with signs of patination and minor wear consistent with age. The materials are structurally intact, and the fixture remains fully functional. This lamp is a prime example of Johansson-Pape’s mastery in blending sculptural elegance with practical lighting design, making it a highly collectible piece within the mid-century Scandinavian lighting tradition.
