Paavo Tynell Starry Sky Ceiling Lamp 9068, Yellowish Beige & Brass, Taito 1950s

The “Starry Sky” is one of Paavo Tynell’s most recognizable and enduring lighting designs. Produced by both Taito Oy and later Idman in several sizes and variations, the model takes its name from the atmospheric pattern of light it creates. Light filters through the perforations and grille, casting small points of illumination onto the ceiling and surrounding surfaces, reminiscent of a star-filled night sky.

With its compact proportions and sophisticated yet understated appearance, the Starry Sky is remarkably versatile. It works equally well in bedrooms, hallways, kitchens and corridors, while also making an elegant accent in a living room or other interiors where ceiling height is limited.

The simple construction also allows the lamp to be disassembled, making restoration or repainting relatively straightforward should a different colour be desired.

This example retains a beautiful vintage patina developed naturally through age and use while the wiring has been updated for continued use. The lamp has a beautiful light yellowish beige original colour shade.

An iconic and highly recognizable Tynell design, the Starry Sky is an excellent addition to both a serious collection of Finnish design and an interior intended for everyday use.

We currently have several other Starry Sky lamps in stock in different sizes and colours. Please see our other listings or contact us if you are looking for a particular variation.

Paavo Tynell (1890–1973) was one of Finland’s most important lighting designers and a central figure in the development of modern Finnish lighting. Often referred to as “the man who illuminated Finland,” his work can be found in numerous important public and private interiors, including major architectural commissions in Finland and abroad.

Tynell began his career as a sheet-metal worker’s apprentice at G. W. Sohlberg in 1906 before moving to the metal workshop Taidetakomo Koru Oy in 1912. He later studied at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, where he would also teach.

In 1918, Tynell co-founded Taito Oy, a company that became one of Finland’s most important manufacturers of lighting fixtures. During the following decades, Taito supplied lighting for numerous significant architectural projects, and Tynell collaborated with many of Finland’s leading architects and designers.

Tynell’s international breakthrough came particularly during the late 1940s and 1950s. His increasingly distinctive vocabulary of perforated brass, delicate decorative details, botanical forms and atmospheric indirect light found an enthusiastic audience in the United States. Through Finland House in New York, his lighting was introduced to American architects, interior designers and collectors, alongside numerous special commissions for important interiors.

Today, Tynell’s work is internationally recognized as one of the defining achievements of 20th-century Finnish design. His extensive body of work encompasses both serially produced models and a remarkable number of custom-designed fixtures, many created specifically for architectural commissions.