Paavo Tynell
Pair of Custom Pendant Lamps
Litecraft, a division of Finland House
Finland | USA
1955
Aluminum, Enameled Steel
72”H from canopy to bottom of fixture
Lamp only without stem measures 36”H x 17”Dia.
Paavo Tynell In The Aluminum City
These lamps originate from the interior of the Grace United Methodist Parish in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. Located in Southwestern Pennsylvania in the Allegheny-Kiski River Valley, Natrona Heights is 23 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and is a neighboring community of New Kensington—where the Aluminum Company of America had made its home since 1891. The strong silver metal was used proudly and frequently in this area, where some 3,000 employees worked and lived during the peak years, and the Grace United Methodist Church Education Center was no exception. Built circa 1955, this modernist building was constructed as an attachment to the original church and featured aluminum architectural details, including floor-to-ceiling clad windows, religious symbols, Blumcraft railings, and custom-designed lighting including this lot. Original to the design of the interior, Tynell's designs are presented just as they illuminated the spiritual space for nearly 70 years.
There were only a total of five (5) of these pendant lamps made for this commission. Two were sold at Wright Auction Design Sale April 2025, one is undergoing restoration, and these are the other two. A pair of the large circular ceiling lamps (50”Dia) seen in some of the interior photos are also available.
Original condition including all hardware, diffusers, and canopies. Wiring and sockets are original and the lamps do function normally. The bottom half of the fixture requires four (4x) standard bulbs and the top half requires three (3x) standard bulbs for a total of 7 bulbs per fixture. Light scratches and scuffs to each fixture. A few small dings and areas of dirt accumulation present. Areas of paint loss to diffuser and interior white paint. These lamps are in good original condition from a commercial setting from 1955 and show expected wear.
Sold as a matching pair of two (2) light fixtures. Price includes shipping in USA lower 48. Please contact for international quote.