In Finnish auction house Annmaris' sale on 7 June, over 330 items are presented from Finnish masters such as Paavo Tynell, Tapio Wirkkala, Alvar Aalto, Nanny Still and many more. Discover Barnebys favourites below:
Represented with over 100 lighting fixtures, Paavo Tynell is one of the 20th century's greatest designers. He had a design language that took all of Finland by storm during the 1940s. Tynell founded the lighting company Oy Taito AB, where he designed and produced nature-inspired brass lamps. One of Paavo Tynell's best-known lamps is model 5321. The shell-shaped table lamp presented at Annmaris is a mini version of his classic lamp and very rare.
Another iconic lamp designed by Tynell is Snowflake. The model 10137, consisting of 29 snowflakes, is part of the Fantasia series, which was designed around 1946. Snowflake was designed in different models, and in winter 2018 set a new record for the designer when one sold at Annmaris for $437,132 (£347,500).
In 1935, Paavo Tynell designed the Chinese Hat floor lamp, or model 9620, for Hotel Aulanko in Hämeenlinna, Finland. The lamp is a good example of Tynell's ability to turn lamps into useful art, combining different materials in a skilful and elegant manner.
Another legend represented in the catalogue is Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985). He became the leader of Finnish modernism and also succeeded in becoming one of the biggest names in European modernism. During his career, Wirkkala designed a number of design classics, including the chair Nikke. Now six chairs of the model Nikke are presented at Annmaris, and these are the first six of 45 copies.
It was not only Paavo Tynell who contributed to the design of Hotel Aulanko. In 1939, Marta Blomstedt (1899-1982) designed these cozy sheepskin armchairs for the hotel.
The Finnish designer Nanny Still (1926-2009) worked mainly with glass and often in strong colours and elegant shapes. She designed these glass bottles while working at Finnish brand Riihimäen Lasi Oy.
Lisa Johansson-Pape (1907-1989) worked at Orno, where she designed these table lamps. In addition to designing lighting, Johansson-Pape organised exhibitions, lectures on art, design and architecture and participated in several international exhibitions.
One can't discuss Finnish design without mentioning Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). This ceiling lamp in model A331, also called Beehive, was designed for Jyväskylä University in 1953 and is one of Aalto's most popular lamps.
Helena Tynell (1918-2016) worked at several different companies, including Oy Taito AB (which her husband Paavo Tynell founded) where she designed lamps. She also designed glass objects, often in vibrant colours and playful shapes. Now her brooch, with motifs of lynx, is made of glass and gold-plated silver from 1951.
In addition to furniture, fixtures and glass art, you will also find rugs. The pattern for this wool mat was designed by the Finnish textile artist Impi Sotavalta (1885-1943) for Kiikan Kutomo.
As a reminder, Annmaris celebratory sale of all things Finnish is taking place on 7 June.