Pair of Model "80115" Ceiling Lamps by Gunnel Nyman for Idman Oy, Finland 1950s

Gunnel Nyman (19 September 1909 – 7 October 1948) was a Finnish glass and metal artist, and one of the founders of modern Finnish glass design. She was also an advocate of early mass-produced glassware. Nyman's glassware is exhibited internationally in museums.

These ‘80115’ ceiling lamps embody the sleek and simple aesthetic that characterized Finnish design in the 1950s. Even in the absence of ornamentation, there was always an emphasis on interesting materials. Milk glass, appropriately named for its opaque or transparent pure ivory white tone, was first created in Venice in the 16th century, known as Lattimo. At that time, it was widely used for decorative purposes and continued to be popular during the 20th century, when the material was used for home accents to decorate households. These lamps have an eye-catching blunted cone shape, with the edges just as soft as the light they diffuse. Thanks to the concealed ceiling holder, the lamps are flush mounted without any exposed parts other than the glass shades. Nyman was a master of working with milk glass, and her lamps of this material are some of her most sought-after designs. She considered material an essential factor in design, to the point that - in her opinion - each object had only one material that it could be made from. Form, proportion and decoration were only there to enhance the properties inherent in the material. The Finnish design blueprint that was set during the first few decades of the 1900s is based on characteristics that can be traced in this lamp model: functionality, an understated, unornamented design created from high quality materials - and most importantly, by a skilled craftsperson.

Although Gunnel Nyman’s career was cut short by an untimely death, she had time enough to give a new direction to Finnish glass design. Her work foreshadowed the work of the 1950s and 1960s Finnish glass designers. At the Milan Triennial in 1951, Nyman was awarded gold medal for glass posthumously.

Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Marks due to the manufacturing process on the inner edges of the shades.

Dimensions:
9.85 in ⌀ x 8.66 in H
25 cm ⌀ x 22 cm H

Shipping:
These lamps will be packaged and shipped with the greatest care and attention to make sure you will receive the items in gallery condition. Complimentary shipping within the Netherlands.

IMPORTANT!
VAT normally applies and will be added to items when purchased by a European buyer or transported to a location within the EU.