Bröderna Malmströms Metallvarufabrik
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A ceiling lamp model "1576", Malmö, 1950s.
Perforated shade of brass, adjustable height. Diameter 45.5 cm.
Wear and patina, minor stains.
Literature
Catalogue, "Bröderna Malmströms Metallvarufabrik", 1951, model illustrated on p. 21.
Marianne Aav & Eeva Viljanen, "Paavo Tynell and Taito Oy", 2005, compare p. 107.
The model exhibited at the NK-Bo exhibition at Nordiska Kompaniet 1952.
More information
According to archival records, no 1576 was likely commissioned by Tauno Sorsa, Chief Technical Officer of the Finnish wholesaler Idman, in the early 1950s. It is based on Paavo Tynell’s design but adapted for a single light source.
This period coincides with a shortage of brass materials at Taito’s supplier, Outokumpu, due to the Korean War and other contemporary political standpoints. Idman was the majority shareholder of Taito and acquired the entire company a few years into the 1950s.
In Sweden, Nordiska Kompaniet retailed the product, reinforcing its perception as a carefully selected premium item. Bröderna Malmströms used the services of legal agency A.W. Anderson for all matters related to design and intellectual property protection.
Sources: Bröderna Malmströms archive, Finnish industrial personnel records, ”Chasing Light” (Ville Linna), Sjöbergs photo agency for Nordiska Kompaniet, the Marshall Plan (Wikipedia), the Swedish Economy in the 1950s (Arthur Montgomery).