The rare perforated version and one of the nicest examples of the 9224 table lamps that we ever came across. This model is also known as the "horse shoe" due to the horseshoe resembling foot and other features making it resemble Thoroughbreds (see archive pictures) In a 1950s edition of the Finland House Lighting catalouge this lamp was nicknamed Thoroughbred. Now if you think that was because of the horseshoe-foot, think again.
The Thoroughbred is a hot-blooded racing horse breed known for its agility and it's physical features include a well-chiseled head, a long slim neck and a lean body. Somehow, that sounds like an exact description of the 9224 lamp. Add to that the leather harness and it's spot on.
This version has perforated funnel shape brass lamp shade with dark walnut brown leather coated stem. It is in really nice vintage condition with fine patina. The electricity has been updated. The lamp is in functioning condition and retains all original parts.
The lamp is stamped by the manufacturer "Idman".
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
