Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9609' Pair of Floor Lamps in Cane and Brass
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The 9609 floor lamp by Finnish designer Paavo Tynell is a stunning showcase of elegance and intricate detail, a visual pleasure in many senses. The tripod base, with its distinctive beige lacquer, provides a striking foundation. The brass stem, elegantly wrapped in cane, introduces a subtle yet intriguing texture to the design. The wide, angular lampshade atop the stem offers a pleasing contrast in form. This harmonious blend of natural cane, bamboo, and lustrous brass with a touch of beige creates a truly captivating piece. The 9609 floor lamp excels in every aspect: craftsmanship, material use, and attention to detail. It is a remarkable work of design that stands out on all fronts.
The use of unconventional materials like wood, straw, and grain stalks for lampshades emerged in the 1940s, driven by the fabric shortages during World War Two. This scarcity led designer Paavo Tynell to get creative with his resources, resulting in lampshades that not only solved a problem but also added unique character to his creations.
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 Tynell’s reputation of “the man who illuminated Finland.” Tynell’s 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.
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The apprentice who lit Helsinki
That hands-on training in sheet metal shaped everything that followed. In 1918 Tynell co-founded Taito and became its managing director and chief designer, working alongside figures including Alvar Aalto; by the 1930s the company had turned exclusively to lighting and become the trendsetter of the Finnish industry, with major commissions such as Helsinki's Parliament House. Tynell served as chairman of Ornamo, Finland's association of industrial designers, and trained a generation of young designers as drafting assistants at Taito — among them Helena Turpeinen, a glass designer he married in 1947.
In 1948 Tynell travelled to New York to oversee the installation of Taito's lighting at Finland House, work that drew coverage in the New York press. His most prominent American commission followed: the office lighting for Trygve Lie, the United Nations' first Secretary-General, in the new UN Building.
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