In 2018, GUBI unveiled its first collection of iconic Finnish designer Paavo Tynell's lighting designs in Milan. Now, the Danish brand is launching a total of ten new Tynell lamps, including a fairy-tale-like special version of the 9602 floor lamp.
DANISH BRAND GUBI acquired the manufacturing rights for Finnish designer Paavo Tynell's creations in 2018 and presented the first collection of Tynell-designed lighting at the historic Palazzo Serbelloni during the Milan Furniture Fair. Now, GUBI returns to the palace garden and introduces a magical new version of the Tynell 9602 floor lamp, along with nine other new additions to their beloved Tynell lighting collection.
The revival of Tynell's masterpieces
Legendary Finnish designer and metalsmith Paavo Tynell is one of the brightest stars in 20th-century design – both in Finland and worldwide. Thanks to his exceptional craftsmanship and material knowledge, Tynell's creations are still highly sought after by collectors and keen-eyed interior decorators to this day.
“It’s important both to design lovers worldwide and to us as a family that Paavo Tynell's legacy should be honored in this way.”
In close collaboration with Tynell's family, GUBI has delved into the designer's archives with the aim of recreating some of his most esteemed design works from the 1940s and 1950s, and making them accessible to a wider audience once again.
“Our father had such a tremendous impact on the design legacy of Finland and on lighting around the globe, so it’s important both to design lovers worldwide and to us as a family that his legacy should be honored in this way,” rejoices Pekka Tynell, Paavo Tynell's son.
• Read also: Paavo Tynell created artistic light >
Technology and technique
The original creations were born in a time when the techniques and equipment used were very different from today. Behind the launch of the new Tynell lamps, lies uncompromising research into the original works and an extensive process of experimentation with equipment, materials, and manual craft techniques – resulting in a unique collection of gems that design enthusiasts worldwide will come to cherish.
Behind the new Tynell designs lies uncompromising research into the original works
“For GUBI, bringing Paavo Tynell’s masterpieces back into production has been an adventure in design detective work,” says Marie Kristine Schmidt, Chief Brand Officer for GUBI. “Working closely with his family, diving into the archives, and studying existing Tynell pieces, we have unpicked and remastered the technical processes and skilled craft techniques required to create these extraordinary and highly influential designs.”
In GUBI's new collection, Tynell's original material choices get a modern twist. Vintage Tynell lamps might boast refined aspen slats or shades sewn from rye straw, but GUBI has found a more sustainable and rapidly renewable option: bamboo. The new collection beautifully combines the essence of the past with an eco-conscious approach, bringing Tynell's timeless designs to a whole new generation of design enthusiasts
“For GUBI, bringing Paavo Tynell’s masterpieces back into production has been an adventure.”
The meticulous process of carefully attaching the thin bamboo slats together, then to the delicate linen lining, and finally affixing them to the lamp's frame requires a great deal of craftsmanship and an keen eye for detail. However, the final outcome brilliantly encapsulates the spirit of Tynell's original masterpieces: the soft, earthy allure of the slats and the play of light peeking through the gaps combine with the gleaming brass, infusing any space with Tynell's signature magical ambiance.
• Read also: Paavo Tynell’s lamps can be found in surprising places >
The palace garden – Tynell 9602 Special Edition
Undoubtedly, the most captivating newcomer in the collection is the collaboration with Maison Pierre Frey, the Parisian fabric house, to recreate a version of the Tynell 9602 floor lamp originally designed for Hotel Aulanko in 1935. This remarkable collaboration breathes new life into Tynell's iconic design, marrying the timeless elegance of the lamp with the enchanting patterns and colors from Pierre Frey, resulting in a truly mesmerizing piece.
“Paavo Tynell himself used to incorporate different textiles into his lighting designs. With Pierre Frey being highly skilled in creating beautiful fabrics for lighting, and known for its textile knowledge and craftsmanship, it was the perfect choice to introduce a new dimension to one of Tynell’s most widely recognized designs”, says Schmidt.
“The exotic pattern of the shade contrasts wonderfully with the minimalistic form of the lamp.”
The exclusive lamp features a fabric lampshade, expertly pleated and adorned with Pierre Frey's dreamy pattern called Le Jardin de Palais – the palace garden. Originally designed for Faïencerie de Gien's table service, this romantic pattern depicts a Persian garden during the Safavid Dynasty era. Within this lush paradise, tigers and gazelles coexist harmoniously with a myriad of birds amidst fantastical flowers and fruit trees, creating a captivating and serene scene.
“The wild and vibrant colors and the expressive scenery exude personality and make a powerful statement. Full of intricate detail, the exotic pattern of the shade contrasts wonderfully with the minimalistic form of the lamp, inviting nature indoors and giving the luminaire a new element of poetry, softness, and character,” Schmidt elaborates.
Simple yet surprising – Tynell 9205 table lamp
Paavo Tynell originally designed the 9205 table lamp in the early 1950s for the Finnish art workshop, Oy Taito AB, where he served as a founding partner, CEO, and designer from 1918 to 1953. A timeless masterpiece, the 9205 table lamp showcases Tynell's signature touch with its exquisitely crafted brass base and pedestal, complemented by a sophisticated bamboo lampshade.
Whether adorning a nightstand or illuminating a work desk, this elegant lamp exudes an understated charm while effortlessly commanding attention and sparking admiration. For those seeking a slightly more subdued yet equally refined option, a version with a fabric lampshade is also available.
Softness and shimmer – Tynell 9209 table lamp
Playfully dubbed the "Helmet," the 9209 table lamp charms with its soft and rounded form and the warm glow of brass. The lampshade is adorned with a perforated triangular pattern, adding life and a delightful play of light to its outer surface. In both proportions and design, the Helmet lamp also bears a resemblance to another beloved Tynell lamp model, the Tynell 5321 lamp, also known as the "Shell."
Originally part of the production at Oy Taito Ab art workshop, the lamp was designed around the 1950s and has become a coveted item at auctions in recent years, just like other Tynell lamps – and rightfully so. With its sophisticated detailing, the lamp stands the test of time in a truly remarkable way, both in terms of its materials and design
Bold and balanced – Tynell 1967 and 1972
GUBI's additions to the Tynell collection showcase a total of four pendant lamps, featuring models 1967 and A1967, as well as 1972 and A1972. The pendants exude an air of elegance with their geometric design, accentuated by gleaming brass details and the inviting warmth of bamboo lampshades in models 1972 and A1972. Adding to their uniqueness, the lamps feature a fabric diffuser that softly blends the downward light into an ethereal glow.
The collection underscores Tynell's extraordinary brilliance in both form and functionality.
The ingenious brass counterweight mechanism in models A1967 and A1971 adds an unexpected touch of expression to the timeless and understated aesthetics of the luminaires. Adjusting the height becomes effortless, underlining Tynell's extraordinary brilliance in both form and functionality. With their captivating blend of style and convenience, these pendant lamps exemplify Tynell's unrivaled artistry in design.
See also:
• Paavo Tynell's designs at Finnish Design Shop >
• Erik Bryggman's Resurrection Chapel is a gem of Finnish architecture >
Text: Mira Ahola Images: GUBI