Finnish designers have always been inspired by Finnish nature, winter and ice.
When it comes to famous snowflake chandelier, it was originally designed by Paavo Tynell for a mansion in Helsinki at the end of 1940s. Now, Tynell's 9041 Snowflake chandelier – created and displayed in 1948 for Finland House in New York – is going under the hammer at Annmaris auctions on 28 February.
This exquisite brass lamp, which resembles a mobile, has delicate snowflakes floating in the air from thin brass twine. The warmth of the lamp makes the snowflakes float in the air elegantly. These chandeliers were handcrafted by Taito Oy which was established and owned by artists and art influencers of the time.
Few decades earlier Finnish Alma Pihl had designed a world-renowned golden snowflake at Faberge in St. Petersburg for a Swedish Emmanuel Nobel. After the Second World War there was no work for goldsmiths in Finland as there were no precious metals to be found. Taito Oy made use of the skilful artisans in crafting these magnificent lamps.
In 1947, record-breaking Snowflakes were delivered for Enso Gutzeit's log cabin Honkapirtti, which had four incredible snowflake chandeliers. They are, to our current knowledge, the second set of Snowflakes ever made and were sold by Annmaris auctions in 2018 for a sensational €1.5 million.
Since 1948, Finland House in New York has featured lights designed by Paavo Tynell. The upcoming snowflake is the one from the promotional pictures of the showroom and represents an absolute classic crafted in 1947-48. Annmaris auctions has sold Snowflake chandeliers in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Besides being incredibly beautiful, these chandeliers are currently one of the most sought after design lamps in the world which makes Paavo Tynell chandeliers also an excellent investment for the years to come.