If he is "the man who illuminated Finland," Paavo Tynell continues to light up the world today with his enchanting creations, which rank among the most coveted designs of the 20th century. A true craftsman—in every sense of the word—with unmatched inventiveness, he left behind thousands of creations, the fruits of a career that spanned nearly 50 years. Among Tynell's abundant works, one model stands out as a masterpiece: the pendant lamp model No. 9014, known as the Snowflake, whose earliest versions were introduced in 1946.
Its construction, relatively simple, is based on a bowl holding the light source and a rod supporting a set of arms from which decorative metal mesh elements, reminiscent of snowflakes, are suspended. The upward projection of light passes through the snowflakes, which come to life and shimmer in silence, creating a rare, poetic dance of projected shadows. Beginning in 1950, Paavo Tynell set out to conquer the American market, opening Finland House in New York, which for several years showcased the best of his work in a multi-level space dedicated entirely to promoting Finnish culture.
The endeavor was a success, and Tynell's lighting fixtures made their way into American homes. Our Snowflake example, a rare version with 80 decorative elements, is one of the pieces presented and acquired at Finland House in the 1950s.
