Set of three brass cups designed by Paavo Tynell for TAITO circa 1940

About the designer : Paavo Tynell (1890–1973) was a Finnish lighting designer and one of the most influential figures in Scandinavian design. Often described as “the man who illuminated Finland,” he helped define what modern Nordic lighting would become. His work is admired for its craftsmanship, elegance, and the warm atmosphere it brings to interiors.

Tynell was born in Helsinki in 1890 and trained as a metalworker, a skill that became the foundation of his entire artistic approach. After studying at the Taideteollinen Korkeakoulu (today the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture), he later returned as an instructor. His early training in metalwork is easy to see in the refined surfaces and delicate details of his later designs.

A major turning point in his career came in 1918, when he co-founded the company Taito Oy, which quickly became Finland’s most important lighting manufacturer. As the chief designer, Tynell created lighting for homes, public buildings, workplaces, and government institutions. Many of Finland’s landmark interiors from the early and mid-20th century include lighting designed by him. Among the most famous are the lamps he created for the Finnish Parliament building and for several architectural projects by Alvar Aalto, with whom he frequently collaborated. Tynell’s design style is instantly recognizable. He worked primarily with brass, often perforated with fine patterns that create a soft, glowing light. Many of his lamps feature organic shapes inspired by nature leaves, vines, flowers, and snowflakes — combined with delicate metalwork that sometimes resembles jewelry. He also used materials such as rattan, cane, and opaline glass to give his lamps a lighter and more atmospheric quality. His designs combine craftsmanship with industrial production in a way that feels both refined and warmly human.