Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy ‘9225’ Table Lamp in Brass and Leather

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, table lamp, model 9225, brass, leather, Finland, 1950s

This ‘9225’ desk lamp, designed by the master of lighting Paavo Tynell in the fifties, stands as a truly remarkable piece. This item is quite rare, along with the design of the shade. The lamp features an imaginative horseshoe base supporting a slender stem wrapped in leather. The cone-shaped shade, made of polished brass, adds to its visual appeal. With a rotating joint, the shade offers flexibility, allowing users to adjust the light to their liking with ease. With its understated appearance and use of precious materials, this lamp bears the hallmark of Scandinavian Modern design of the fifties.

The piece contains an impressed signature, stating “TT 9225 O.Y. TAITO A.B. MADE IN FINLAND”.

Finnish designer Paavo Tynell (1890-1973) began his career as a blacksmith. After studying to become a master craftsman at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki, he founded his own manufacturing company named Taito Oy. During his career, he collaborated with fellow Finnish designers and architects such as Alvar Aalto. Their collaboration proved to be very fruitful and achieved Tynells reputation of the man who illuminated Finland. Tynells international design influence grew thanks to the Finland House located in New York and allowed him to see himself trusted with prestigious orders both for public buildings such as the UN but also for important private collections. Based on existing models, custom versions were ordered by the Finnish upper-class. Tynell’s designs are characterized by organic forms and the use of perforated brass in combination with unusual materials for lighting such as straw and cane.