Edward F. Caldwell & Co. was among America’s preeminent lighting manufacturers of the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries, illuminating the halls and ceilings of some of the most notable buildings in the United States. In addition to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the White House in Washington, D.C., the company’s masterful light fixtures also adorn the homes of some historically prominent figures, such as J.P. Morgan and Phillip Lehman.
The firm was founded in 1895 by American Edward F. Caldwell and Victor F. von Lossberg, a Latvia native who was raised in Russia. The founders became acquainted while working at Archer & Pancoast Manufacturing Company of New York, which produced gas lighting fixtures.
In 1901 Edward F. Caldwell & Co. opened a foundry, where the owners and the lighting artisans they recruited could explore a range of metalworking techniques and design styles. Caldwell and von Lossberg quickly rose to the top of the electric light manufacturing business with their shared vision, choosing to deliver quality elegant fixtures that frequently drew on historic European designs. The firm produced magnificent lighting pieces, as well as finely crafted decorative objects and mirrors. Their neoclassical designs borrowed heavily from Baroque and Rococo styles — Edward F. Caldwell & Co. also devised Art Deco fixtures during the 1920s — and favored bronze, silver, iron, copper and brass as their primary materials.
With construction on the rise in New York in the early 1900s, not many outfits could take on large-scale lighting contracts. With over 1,000 employees, Edward F. Caldwell & Co. could take on heavy commissions.
After Caldwell died in 1914, von Lossberg carried the company until he died in 1942. Edward F. Caldwell & Co. closed its doors owing to financial troubles in 1959.
Today manufacturer’s work can be seen all across New York City — including at the Bank of Manhattan and the famous Waldorf Astoria hotel — and Edward F. Caldwell & Co. creations are highly sought after by lighting and decor enthusiasts.
On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Edward F. Caldwell & Co. table lamps, chandeliers and pendants, sconces and floor lamps.
Antique Silvered Bronze Roman or Archaeological Revival Bowl by E F Caldwell
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful Roman Revival bowl by E F Caldwell, one New York's most important historical design firm. The bowl has a raised frieze-like decoration around it's circumference, rosette...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Antique Gilded Age Signed E F Caldwell New York Silver Plated Dish or Plate
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique gilded age plate by E F Caldwell. With a raised acanthus leaf border and a central medallion with the bust of a woman and an electrop...
Silver Plate
Antique French Silver Hair Comb Hair Ornament
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This hair comb was handcrafted in the late 1830's, the engraving in the centre is typical for the design of the second quarter of the nineteenth The design of this hair comb feature...
Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Mesh Bag With Deer Design
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Weight: 236.4 grams Material: Sterling Silver Marked 925 Dimension: 6 inches x 7 inches Handle length: 12.5 inches
Sterling Silver
Antique Hair Pins Hair Ornaments Facetted Chalcedony Silver Gilt Silver
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These unusual hair ornaments come as a set of four haipins with two prongs each and two pins with one prong each connected by a silver chain. All the pins are mounted with natural colour facetted...
Chalcedony, Silver
Lapis Lazuli Silver Plated Spoon Set of Six by Marina J.
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing One of a Kind Spoon Set by Marina J. Each spoon in this set of 6 is composed of clean and graceful lines giving this elegant set a modern flare. The lapis lazuli beads attach...
Lapis Lazuli, Silver Plate
$1,065
H 18.27 in W 7.01 in D 0.52 in L 18.27 in
Antique Art Nouveau Evening Bag Silver Mesch Handbag on Silver Chain
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant silver handbag is made out of engraved silver and delicate silver mesch. The bulge of the bag is made out of silver and impressed, cut and engraved with flower, flower ...
Silver
Antique Rabbit Baby Rattle Signed WMF Silver Plate Celluloid
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This charming Art Deco baby rattle was created in the 1920's. It is designed as a rabbit sitting quietly with its ears down. The rabbit has two little balls inside his hollow body. I...
Silver Plate
$120,000
Diamond Tiara by J.E. Caldwell
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in New York, NY
this breathtaking tiara is a vision of elegance and refinement. Crafted in 18K white gold and platinum, it features an intricate lattice-like design adorned with shimmering rose-cut ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Pampaloni taste & drink wine cups silver plated wooden package
Located in Perugia, IT
Silver-plated Pampaloni taste & drink wine cups with wooden box Manufactured by Pampaloni - Florence - Italy 2 cups + wooden box Weight cups g 328 Height 7 cm Diameter 9 cm Table g...
Silver Plate
Antique Victorian Cranberry Glass Silver Perfume Scent Bottle
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian perfume bottle. This unusual little bottle featured a cranberry glass with a silver screw top. The piece would have been in...
Silver
Antique Victorian Silver Glass Chatelaine Scent Bottle
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Victorian scent bottle crafted from clear glass with a sterling silver hinged lid. The bottle retains its original tiny glass stopper, which reveals cotton wool i...
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian 1837 Sterling Silver Glass Jewellery Box
Located in London, GB
This rare and beautifully crafted antique jewellery box dates to the very start of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1837. The domed lid is made of sterling silver, intricately adorned with ...
Sterling Silver
Set of 4 Gianmaria Buccellati Sterling Silver Plates #21025
By Gianmaria Buccellati
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 4 sterling silver plates by Gianmaria Buccellati. These small plates features a smooth polished finish with a globe design at the center of each plate. Measures approx 5 3/8...
Sterling Silver
Jacob & Co. is considered expensive for a few reasons. For one thing, the watch collectors of the world know the watchmaker for its multicolored-gemstone designs as well as its oversized and innovative complications. There are substantial costs related to the design, assembly and premium materials associated with Jacob & Co.’s luxury watches, which are painstakingly crafted in Switzerland and sold all over the world. The price tag reflects the brand’s use of meticulously sourced round brilliant cut diamonds and metals such as 18-karat gold. Additionally, only a limited number of timepieces leave the watchmaker's workshops each year, so demand usually far exceeds supply. Find Jacob & Co. watches for sale on 1stDibs.