Mostly known for his outstanding lighting fixtures, Paavo Tynell worked with many of the great architects of his time, including Alvar Aalto. Born in Helsinki in 1890, he studied at the Helsinki University of Industrial Arts, graduating as a master metalsmith. From 1918, Tynell worked mainly on metalwork for commercial and private projects through Taito, a metalwork and lighting company he co-founded and directed. In the 1930s, shifting his focus on lighting he started designing beautiful collections of lamps that sold well in the US – some of his pieces landed on the UN’s Secretary-General’s office in New York. Tynell’s designs are regularly auctioned and fetch high prices.