Brass Table Lamps by Kai Ruokonen for Orno, Finland, 1960 - 1970s

Brass table lamp by Kai Ruokonen Lynx Edition, in a stout form. Made in a cylinder of stacked lamellas that let out a warm glowing light. A wonderful, cool mood light.

Paavo Tynell is one of Finland’s best known and most collected mid-century designers. Tynell was a pioneer of European lighting design and a founder of the first lighting manufacturing company in Finland, Taito Oy. The present model “9224” table lamp is a well known design famous for its characteristic base design. This model is better known as the "horseshoe" due to the shape of the foot and other features making it resemble Thoroughbreds. In a 1950s edition of the Finland House Lighting catalogue this lamp was nicknamed Thoroughbred, but interestingly enough, not because of the horseshoe-foot. The Thoroughbred is a hot-blooded racing horse breed known for its agility and physical features including a well-chiselled head, a long, slim neck and a lean body. Features that describe this lamp model as well. This version (there exists one with small holes on the reflector) has a funnel shaped brass reflector with a ring of perforated lines highlighting its widening shape. The reflector is lacquered white inside and can be adjusted in its position, functional elements that show Tynell’s consideration for the user and the lamp’s utilitarian role as well. The most distinct element however, remains the brass horseshoe base that balances the design both visually and literally as well. It is a sleek, modern element that makes this model immediately recognizable. It is connected to the shade by a straight neck wrapped entirely in leather. While Tynell’s company collaborated with up-and-coming talent as well as more established names such as Alvar Aalto, Tynell’s own designs are the most collected for their elegant brass forms, exquisite quality, and interesting play of materials. A master craftsman himself, Tynell’s design is derivative of a traditional aesthetic with a modern sensibility, mixed with an extensive use of perforated and polished brass as material. This table lamp showcases all his sensibilities that gained him worldwide fame and renown. Condition: In good vintage condition consistent with age and use. This unit is unpolished and has signs of wear. Paavo Tynell Table lamp Model 9224 Horseshoe Lamp...

Pair of brass table lamps by Kai Ruokonen, with large lamella lamp shades. Emanate beautiful, warm light when lit.

Designers have been consistently inspired by nature in their work during the midcentury era, which makes curvilinear shapes an ongoing source of inspiration. Hans-Agne Jakobsson was ...