Paavo Tynell created the counter weight lamp design in response to American lamp specifications, that did not allow lamps to hang by electricity cords on their own. The result was a whole series of counter weight lamp designs of which this model, the 1965 was the most recognizable and an all time favorite and classic.
This example was manufactured by Taito Oy, which was the first company that Paavo Tynell established already in the 1920s and was known for the highest standards in metal craftsmanship. The three dot perforated brass shade adds a magical touch that is synonymous with the Tynell designs. It also counter balances the rigidity of the solid brass weight. Finally, the glass shade diffuser softens the direct down light coming from the lamp.The lamp's height is adjustable and can be extended as much as needed by changing the length of the wiring.
This lamp is in original condition and retains mostly all original parts except for the wiring and the adjustable metal cord which has also been updated to a firmer version.
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 Tynell´s high end lamps fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars worldwide, and deservingly so. His commisioned lamps number in the thousands, but unfortunately not all documents or archive materials are intact.
