A mid-20th Century floor lamp model 9602 for Taito, Finland.
Shaft with rattan winding. Polished brass base. For two light bulbs. Manufacturer's mark. Total height c. 155 cm. Diameter of the shade c. 62 cm.
Wear due to age and use. The rattan of the shaft has been partially repaired. Stains on the base. The metal parts on the shaft have colour losses. Electrical function not tested. Replaced shade.
Paavo Tynell (1890–1973) began his career as an apprentice sheet-metal worker while simultaneously studying at the Central School of Applied Arts, where his skill was recognized early on. In 1918, he founded the company Taito Ltd in Helsinki together with several prominent artists and industrialists.
Taito Ltd’s operations initially included both a forge and a foundry, but after the foundry was closed, the company focused on handcrafted pewter objects during the 1920s and 1930s, as well as lighting fixtures, which became its main product. In 1953, Taito Ltd merged with Idman Ltd, which eventually led to the dissolution of Taito Ltd.
During the 1950s, the company expanded internationally and exported lighting fixtures to the United States, including commissions for Finland House in New York and the United Nations Headquarters.
Today, Paavo Tynell is regarded as one of Finland’s most significant industrial designers.