Paavo Tynell

In parts of Northern Europe it was typical around Yuletide to hang geometric ornaments made from straw around the home. These ornaments were said to ensure a robust harvest and would be on display from Christmas until midsummer. Designer Paavo Tynell found inspiration in the culture and traditions of his homeland Finland, channeling the visual effects of the mobiles into electrical lighting designs. He created a sense of warmth and comfort by utilizing brass and delicate moving parts to reflect light. Originally introduced in 1946, the “Snowflake” light came in various iterations. In the present model, a perforated brass bowl shines light up onto the 32 delicate, dangling brass mesh and wire snowflakes to reflect and diffuse light in a dynamic and twinkling manner. Although the light evokes winter and snowfall, it also creates a whimsical and warming effect much like candle light. With his inventive designs such as the “Snowflake” light fixtures, Paavo Tynell’s work was instrumental in establishing an international interest in Scandinavian modern design.

Tynell studied to become a master metalsmith during a transformative period for the decorative arts and design, attending the University of Art and Design Helsinki in the second decade of the twentieth century. He had established his own manufacturing company, Taito Oy, by 1918. This allowed him to produce avant-garde lighting that other companies might have been reluctant to manufacture. In addition to fabricating his own high quality lamps, Tynell collaborated with other designers such as Alvar Aalto and Aarne Ervi on custom projects. Through these collaborations, Tynell was able to produce lighting for noteworthy projects such as the Paimio Sanatorium and Viipuri Library. Tynell began designing specifically for the American market in the wake of a growing international interest in Scandinavian design. As early as 1948, his work was showcased at the New York gallery Finland House. Numerous catalogues featured Tynell’s lighting, demonstrating his popularity and firmly establishing him as a frontman of the Scandinavian modern design movement. One catalogue states that his lighting designs were the culmination of his “lifelong effort to blend the harmony of lighting with the harmony of living.” This “Snowflake” ceiling light is a stunning example of Tynell’s romantic and lyrical approach to postwar lighting.