Rare Paavo Tynell Chandelier in Brass, Wood & Yellow Shades, Taito 1950s

A rare and possibly unique commissioned Paavo Tynell Scandinavian modern chandelier in polished brass and birch. Just when one thinks they have seen it all, this marvelous piece surfaces to deepen our astonishment for the imagination, talent, and craftsmanship of Tynell and his Taito workers.

The chandelier features a wooden central piece with five bent flat arms extending outward, mimicking ribbons thrown into the air. Each arm holds a light bulb adorned with its original yellow shade. This is a truly beautiful piece, offered for the first time. The lamp is in good vintage condition with some wear on the shades that is hard to notice or picture. Please refer to photos for more. The shades are original and we vouched to keep them as is, but can be reupholstered upon request.

Paavo Tynell (1890–1973) was a Finnish designer renowned worldwide for his incredible lighting fixtures. Known as the man who “illuminated Finland,” his works grace numerous public buildings, including the Finnish Parliament House and the office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York.

Tynell began as a sheet metal worker’s apprentice in 1906 before moving to a workshop specializing in electric light fixtures. He studied and later taught at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki. In 1918, he co-founded Taito Oy, which initially produced various items before focusing on lamps as electricity became widespread in Finland. In the 1920s, Taito’s work included major public commissions like the Paimio Sanatorium, designed by Alvar Aalto.

After World War II, Tynell achieved his major breakthrough with a distinctive style aimed largely at the U.S. market. He sold both catalogue and commissioned works through Finland House in New York. Though his late 1940s–1950s style was initially criticized in Finland, he persisted, and his fixtures soon became Finland House’s best-selling product. Today, Tynell’s high-end lamps command hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction worldwide. His commissioned works number in the thousands, though not all related documents or archive materials have survived.