Listings / Furniture / Lighting / Table Lamps
'Untouched' Paavo Tynell Umbrella Table Lamp Model 5061, Taito 1952-53
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Description
Nicknamed "the umbrella", this sizeable lamp was already designed in the 1930s. The model has three different versions, one of which has this hand-blown opaline glass shade with a champagne tone. It combines two cold materials; brass and glass yet will shine with a graceful warmth to lighten up any kind of interior. Suiting for offices and homes alike, this lamp is large and will be noticed no matter the surroundings.
This specific rare example is in full original condition (except for wirings) and still has the original lacquered surface that has a beautiful dark patina. It also has the original glass and the paint on the inside.
The lamp has been given as a retirement gift in 1953 to the accountant of the Ahlström group and has the date and initials of the accountant inscribed. This also confirms the makers as Taito Oy that made all Tynell lamps prior the acquisition of Idman in 1954.
The removal of the inscription and polishing of the brass is not a difficult thing, but would be almost a crime with an item with this kind of patina.
Paavo Tynell (1890–1973) was a Finnish designer who is well renowned around the world for his incredible lighting fixtures and lamps. Tynell is known as the man who “illuminated Finland” and his works can be found in numerous public offices and buildings such as the Finnish Parliament House and the office of Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York.
Tynell started as a sheet metal worker´s apprentice at G.W.Sohlbergs workshop in 1906. After that he moved to Taidetakomo Koru Oy in 1912, which was a metal workshop specializing in electric light fixtures. Then Paavo studied at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki and after that he taught in it too. Paavo then founded Taito Oy in 1918 with a number of colleagues. Taito produced a number of other items other than just light fixtures in the early years, however the main focus became lamps after Finland adopted the use of electricity. By the 1930s Finnish households started buying light fixtures as the use of electricity became more common. In the 1920s Taito`s main sales were still mostly public commissions, for example the Paimio Sanatorium which was designed by Alvar aalto.
After WW2 and the quite challenging shortage years in Finland, Tynell finally had his major breakthrough. His style became quite distinctive and was mainly aimed at the U.S. markets. He sold both catalogue lamps as well as commissioned works through Finland House in N.Y. Although his late 1940s-1950s style was widely criticized at first in Finland, he stuck to it, and luckily so. It wasn´t long before his lamp fixtures became Finland House´s best selling product. Nowadays Tynells high end lamps fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars worldwide, and deservingly so. His commisioned lamps number in the thousands, and unfortunately not all documents or archive materials are intact -
More Information
Documentation: Makers Label/Invoice Notes: Stamped. Origin: Finland Period: 1950-1979 Materials: Brass, Glass Condition: Good. Good condition, very heavy patina Creation Date: 1952-1953 Styles / Movements: Modern, Scandinavian Modern Incollect Reference #: 811821 -
Dimensions
H. 15.75 in; Diam. 16.14 in; H. 40 cm; Diam. 41 cm;
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