PAAVO TYNELL (1890-1973)

This unique set of three lamps was produced by Taito Oy Spring / early Summer 1944, and according to documents in the Paavo Tynell archives – where a drawing of this design remains – were originally destined for the SOK head office in Viipuri, designed by Erkki Huttunen’s architecture practice. However, the city was lost to the Soviet advance that Summer and the lamps presumably remained in storage until their installation, early 1945, during the refurbishment of the entrance hall of the Varkaus, located on the Ahlström factory plantation designed by Alvar Aalto for Harry & Marie Gullichsen. Taito Oy merged with Idman Oy in 1945, the latter already owned by Ahlström Oy.