Paavo Tynell ceiling lamp

This ceiling lamp, model K2-10, was designed in 1955 by Finnish lighting designer Paavo Tynell and produced by Idman in Finland. The fixture is composed of a combination of materials typical of mid-century Scandinavian lighting design, including brass, lacquered metal, and opaline glass. Tynell’s distinctive approach to lighting is evident in the lamp’s poetic use of materials and its sculptural yet functional form.

The lamp features a conical diffuser in matte opaline glass that gently filters light, a decorative black lacquered metal shade pierced with a regular array of star-shaped perforations. These perforations serve both an ornamental and functional purpose, allowing points of light to escape and cast star-like patterns on surrounding surfaces. The cylindrical outer shade is contrasted by a finial assembly of coiled brass rings that crown the top of the cone, adding a delicate, jewel-like accent. The lamp is suspended from a brass ceiling canopy and hangs from a textile-covered cable, consistent with original 1950s fittings.

Paavo Tynell was one of Finland’s foremost lighting designers and a co-founder of the company Taito. His work is closely associated with the golden age of Finnish modernism, and he is known for his ability to blend industrial techniques with delicate handcrafted detailing. Tynell’s lighting designs often incorporate perforated patterns, brass flourishes, and soft illumination, qualities which made his works highly sought after in both private interiors and public architectural projects of the postwar period.

The piece is in excellent condition with only minor surface wear consistent with age.

The dimensions of the lamp are 21.5 cm in diameter and 42 cm in height for the fixture itself, with an overall hanging height of 125 cm. These measurements correspond approximately to 8.46 inches in diameter, 16.54 inches in fixture height, and 49.21 inches in total hanging length.