Paavo Tynell Adjustable Table Lamp Model 9227 in White and Brass, Idman 1950s

A beautiful example of the iconic model 9227 table lamp by Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Idman in the 1960s. Widely regarded as a pivotal design in Tynell’s oeuvre, the model marks the beginning of a new direction in his work, introducing features that would later become signatures of his lighting designs. Among these are the elegant perforations and slotted details, as well as the adjustable shade construction, allowing the direction of light to be altered with ease and precision.

The lamp features Tynell’s distinctive slotted visor reflector, which can be moved up or down to direct light exactly where needed. Combining sculptural elegance with practical functionality, the design is equally suited for desks, reading areas, offices, and home workspaces. This particular example is stamped by Idman and marked with the model number H5-8, indicating a later production from the 1960s.

Born in 1890, Paavo Tynell became one of Finland’s most celebrated designers and is often referred to as the man who “illuminated Finland.” His lighting fixtures adorned many important public buildings, including the Finnish Parliament House and the office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York. Tynell began his career as a sheet metal worker’s apprentice at G.W. Sohlberg in 1906 before joining Taidetakomo Koru Oy, a workshop specializing in electric light fixtures. He later studied and taught at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki before co-founding Taito Oy in 1918.

While Taito initially produced a wide range of metalwork, the company gradually focused on lighting as electricity became more common in Finnish homes during the 1920s and 1930s. Early commissions included projects such as the Paimio Sanatorium designed by Alvar Aalto. Following the difficult postwar years in Finland, Tynell achieved international recognition with his highly distinctive late 1940s and 1950s designs, many of which were created for the American market and sold through Finland House in New York.

Although his later work initially divided opinion in Finland, Tynell remained committed to his expressive and decorative approach. It soon proved highly successful, with his lighting becoming among Finland House’s most sought-after products. Today, Paavo Tynell’s rare and important lamps are considered masterpieces of Scandinavian lighting design and are highly prized by collectors worldwide.