Annmaris Nordic Auctions and PIASA are joining forces to present an auction on November 4, 2026, that is dedicated to the best of Finnish design. The catalogue features a wide range of Nordic design, including several lighting fixtures by the master Paavo Tynell, also known as "the man who illuminated Finland."
Born in Helsinki in 1890, Paavo Tynell trained in metalwork and began his career as a sheet metal worker and blacksmith before founding Tynell Oy Taito AB in 1918, where he served as chief designer and managing director. During the interwar period, his company became the most important lighting manufacturer in Finland. At the time of the company's founding, electric lamps were not yet widely available and were a relatively new commodity, so within just a few years, the market experienced explosive growth, leading Tynell Oy Taito AB to begin the industrial production of lighting fixtures.
While his early designs were inspired by Art Deco, Tynell began creating more functional lamps in the 1930s, often made of opaline glass. After World War II, following the relaxation of war material rationing, he increasingly used brass in his work. His modern lamps from this period were in high demand and were particularly successful in the United States.
Many architects were impressed by the work of this innovative Finnish lighting master, and he received numerous commissions to enhance several public spaces with his creations. Therefore, he earned the nickname "the man who illuminated Finland."
Tynell was not just a lamp designer; he also shaped the Scandinavian design tradition, which we still associate today with timeless elegance, fine craftsmanship, and use of natural materials.
Among the highlights of the catalogue is a fantastic brass and glass chandelier dating from 1949. This model was designed for the children's hospital in Kuopio, Finland.
On the furniture front, collectors will find the iconic "Tank Chair" in birch with an upholstered seat and back by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto. While many of Aalto's earlier furniture pieces were commissioned for various buildings, the "Tank Chair" was created in 1936 and presented at the Finnish Pavilion of the Milan Triennale that same year. Designed to showcase the innovative nature of Finnish furniture to the public, the chair displayed the full extent of its creator's skill and represented a true technical feat with its bentwood technology and upholstered backrests providing modern seating comfort.
The design was a resounding success at the Triennale, winning a prestigious award and propelling Aalto to international acclaim, cementing his reputation in the design world. Today, Annmaris Nordic Auctions is honored to present a pair of "Tank Chairs" produced by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas.
In recent years, interest in the ceramics of Birger Kaipiainen, particularly his large decorative platters adorned with diverse motifs, has increased considerably. Among the many examples to be offered at the sale, lot no. 165 stands out. Dating from around 1950, this platter produced by Arabia depicts a white dove and two dragonflies, characteristic of the surreal colors and motifs for which Kaipiainen is renowned.
The auction, which will be held on November 4, 2026, in Paris, features many iconic masterpieces created by the most famous and important designers of Nordic design.
