Modernity’s Model 9041
paavo tynell, 1954 - 1956
Drop height: 150 cm / 4’ 11”
Height of the fixture: 104 cm / 3’ 5”
Diameter: 90 cm / 2’ 11 1/2”
No. of flakes: 64
Diameter of flakes: 12 cm / 4 3/4”
PAAVO TYNELL
A rare and important ‘Snowflake’ chandelier circa 1954 - 1956
THE SNOWFLAKE CHANDELIER
model 9041
Paavo Tynell, “The man who illuminated Finland”, became an internationally celebrated designer during his lifetime. The Snowflake is one of his most sought-after works and belongs to the most triumphant period in Finnish design. “The Snowflake is the peak production of Tynell’s career. When the light is on the lamp shines very beautifully - the snowflakes reflect the light and interesting shadows appear on the ceiling and in the room. It is indeed a highly decorative piece, an Object d’Art, even when it is not lit, a beautiful piece of art in any space, public or private” says Pekka Korvenmaa, professor emeritus in design history at the Aalto University in Finland.
“Harmony in lighting for harmony in living.”
Finland house Catalogue
The post-war sense of relief, freedom and hope greatly influenced Tynell’s work. Drawing inspiration from nature and the traditions of his beloved homeland, Finland, he quickly moved away from strict functionalism to create new pieces reflecting the era’s rapid social changes. Floral, natural decorative elements and shapes, perforated metal techniques and the use of new and unconventional materials made Tynell’s lights not only exquisite interior objects, but artworks symbolic of their time.
Tynell’s Snowflake chandeliers are evocative of the decorative ornaments that were customary to hang at home during colder, darker Finnish winters. Twinkling warm light would imitate sparkling snowfall, creating a sense of winter magic. This piece is exceptional because of the remarkable number of snowflakes. According to Harry Kivilina, curator at Design Museum Finland, Modernity’s lamp is a “special order, where they wanted 60 snowflakes. Unfortunately Tynell’s archive does not have sketches of all orders”. The piece belongs to Tynell’s earlier examples, which would often include perforated bases allowing for the light to diffuse not only around the room but also downwards. “Paavo Tynell created a rather personal style that did not imitate anyone else. His style was very decorative and super romantic which was in line with the movement of the time in the Nordic countries. This can be seen with all the flowers and leaves he used in his designs in many different lamps, and not least in the Snowflake. This became his trademark”, says Pekka Korvenmaa.
The opening of the Finland House gallery and restaurant, specialising in Finnish interiors, in New York in 1948 epitomised a decade of success of Finnish and Scandinavian design. It was a testament to just how fashionable Finnish style had become in America. Paavo Tynell acquired a celebrity-like status similar to the design stars of today, such as Ron Arad. Perfectly crafted in Finland at his own production company, Taito Oy, Tynell’s Snowflake chandeliers were exported to the US gallery, playing a pivotal role in his international success. Back home in Finland, the Helsinki City Hall secured an early order for its grand restaurant, Kaupunginkellari. These chandeliers became incredibly rare and very expensive, with private commissions almost impossible to get hold of.
Modernity’s Model 9041
paavo tynell, 1954 - 1956
sta Mped
‘9041 taito aB, made in finland’
64 individual Flakes two alternating styles
“It is so poetic and beautiful, an Object d’Art.”
pekka korvenMaa proFessor e Meritus at aalto university, Finland
a sketCh by tynell F or a proje C t in atlanta, georgia
FroM the paavo tynell arChives
PAAVO TYNELL
THE MAN WHO ILLUMINTATED FINLAND
One of the best loved and most acclaimed Finnish designers – Paavo Tynell (1890-1973) was born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1890. He was an industrial designer, originally trained as a sheet metal worker. His world-renowned and extremely sought-after work, was mostly formed from perforated and polished brass. He was a true pioneer of Nordic lighting design, with his early work proving to be of a functionalist nature during the first stages of his aweinspiring career.
Tynell became the lighting designer of choice for a number of distinguished architects including Aarne Ervi and the remarkable Alvar Aalto. He went on to be the managing director of his own company, Taito Oy, into the late 1930’s.
A change was noticeable in Tynell’s design style entering the late 1940’s, withdrawing from functionalism and warming more to romantic and delicate shapes; perhaps a consequence of the constraints and struggles of war. His designs were influenced by the organic forms of nature and the steadily growing feeling of freedom, which was mirrored by Tynell with the first production of the truly magnificent Snowflake chandelier in 1946. One can see other signature design elements, such as the small decorative flowers, on his late 1940’s and early 1950’s work.
k aupunginkellari restaurant helsinki, 1946-1947
Related literature:
Chasing light, Paavo Tynell, Ville Linna, Toivo publishing, Helsinki, 2020, pp. 30-51
Scandinavian Design, Charlotte and Peter Fiell, Cologne, 2002, p. 627
Finland House Lighting: harmony in lighting for harmony in living, original designs by Paavo Tynell, New York, 1955, pp. 12-13
High Lights of a Lighting Genius, LIFE Magazine 12/12/1960, p. 57
Paavo Tynell, Galerie Eric Philippe, Paris, 2010, pp. 25-26
Photography by Åsa Liffner.
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With thanks to Harry Kivilina, Design Museum Finland and Pekka Korvenmaa, professor emeritus in design history at the Aalto University, for their invaluable contributions to this presentation. www.modernity.se
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