It’s not often that one résumé can include hermetic magician, astrologer, gold and silversmith and lighting designer. It’s fair to say that Austrian Emil Stejnar may be the only one to claim all of the skills above.
The clamor for mid-century modern design has been at a fever pitch since, well, pretty much the mid-twentieth century. And while many of the era’s furniture makers have gained recognition over time, many designers remain obscure. Emil Stejnar is one such designer.
Born in Vienna in 1939, Stejnar trained in goldsmithing and silversmithing and opened a jewelry workshop in Sweden. Eventually, he began to translate his metal skills to light fixtures.
Vintage Emil Stejnar chandeliers and mirrors are practically jewelry themselves, featuring materials like 24-carat gold-plated brass and Austrian crystals. He had a penchant for symmetrical, rounded forms, often emulating starbursts, snowflakes or floral blossoms in his designs.
Stejnar found a partner in Austrian manufacturer Rupert Nikoll, which made an extensive amount of the designer’s astonishingly precious pieces. In fact, the biggest claim to glory for the brand, which was established in Vienna in the early 1900s, owes to Stejnar’s work.
While it seems that any lighting fixture having a starburst shape and numerous bulbs on the ends was dubbed “Sputnik” in the Cold War era, one of Rupert Nikoll’s most famous designs is the Sputnik pendant lamp, created in the 1960s by Stejnar.
With several lighted spokes extending out in every direction, forming a shape similar to a dandelion puff, Stejnar's Sputnik pendant lamp earned the nickname “Pusteblume,” or “Dandelion” in English. Many imitators have replicated the Sputnik design, but the originals are highly valued by interior designers and collectors of Space Age design.
Find vintage Emil Stejnar chandeliers, wall lights, floor lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Large Emil Stejnar Flush Mount
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Miami, FL
Large 15-light snowflake Emil Stejnar flush mount. 25 watts max per light. US rewired and in working condition.
Glass
Mid-Century Chandelier by Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceiling, frame in brass and colored metal. Eight arms, decorated with glass balls. Height about 63 cm diameter is approximately 52 cm.
Brass
$2,980 / set
Emil Stejnar Pair of Sconces
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Miami, FL
Two pairs. Of sconces by Emil Stejnar. 40 watt per socket, US wired and In Working condition. Priced by pair. Have a look on our the largest collection of French and Italian Mid-Cent...
Brass
Emil Stejnar 6-Flamming Chandelier, Austria, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Praha, CZ
Designed in 1950s by Emil Stejnar and executed by Rupert Nikoll. Lacquered brass with minor age patina. No crystal parts missing. Rewired: 6x40W, E25-E27 bulbs. US wiring compatible.
Crystal, Brass
Snowball hanging Lamp by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 75cm Height , 30 cm Diameter Condition: Good Period: 1950s Material: Metal , glass
Brass
Sputnik Ceiling Light Snowball by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Hastings, GB
A glorious brass and crystal ceiling pendant, 'Snowball' by Emil Stejnar for the Rupert Nikoll company. Dating to the 1950's this beautiful lig...
Crystal, Brass
Mid century glass sputnik chandelier, 1970s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century sputnik chandelier designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. 1960s Austria Tested and ready to use. We can change the chain length if desired. Works with E14 light...
Chrome
Mid Century Modern Vintage Chandelier Emil Stejnar 1950 Austria Copper Brass
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage chandelier from copper and brass combination designed by Emil Stejnar in Vienna circa 1950. An amazing chandelier with many cute flowers and cute crystal g...
Copper, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brass White Flower Dandelion Chandelier Rupert Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage chandelier flower dandelion from white metal and brass designed by Emil Stejnar, circa 1955 and executed by Rupert Nikoll, Vienna. A fabulous chandelier from brass, acrylic flowers and cut crystal globes dandelion like features an elegant vibe and feel through its white and clear appearance. This stunning chandelier could perfect work in your living room, entryway or powder room and appear like a fairy tale bloom. With a gracious and glamorous vibe these nature inspired...
Crystal, Brass
$2,400
Emil Stejnar Pendant
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant petite pendant by Emil Stejnar. 12" diameter globe. Brass frame with crystal globes and stars. Perfect for an entryway, bathroom, hallway or closet. Overall height will be ad...
Brass
Emil Stejnar Mid-Century Modern Circular Backlit Amber Wall Mirror 1950 Vienna
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage circular like wall mirror backlit framed with lucite flowers in amber color tone by Emil Stejnar 1950s Austria. The wall m...
Metal
Gorgeous 1950s Acrylic Brass Cascade Pendant Lamp Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
Beautiful and striking Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency cascading chandelier from the 1950s, masterfully crafted from solid brass and adorned with countless sparkling glass beads...
Brass
Snowball Ceiling Lamp by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Delft, NL
Vintage grapje bunch handig lamp in glass, 1970s
Metal
Mid Century Modern Vintage Chandelier Dandelion Emil Stejnar Austria c 1955
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage chandelier dandelion shape designed by Emil Stejnar, 1955 and executed by Rupert Nikoll in Vienna. A fantastic chandelier with charming vibes and feel. Per...
Crystal, Brass
Starburst Brass Chandelier by Emil Stejnar , Austria 1960s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Delft, NL
dimensions: 55cm Height , 40cm Diameter Period: 1960's Material: Brass , crystal
Brass
Snowball Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll Brass and Glass , Austria, 1950
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Bronx, NY
Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll brass and glass Sputnik chandelier, Vienna Austria, 1950. Sputnik chandelier consisting of a brass frame with numero...
Brass
Emil Stejnar Snowball Flush Mount Chandelier
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
Emil Stejnar flush mount Sputnik chandelier dating to circa 1950s. Designed with a brass body and arms, white enamel sockets, bursts of faceted beads and sprays of glass rosettes. We...
Metal
Emil Stejnar Designed "Dandelion" Pendant
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage pendant made by Emil Stejnar, featuring a dandelion or snowball style of lucite crystals on chrome rods. This "explosion" of crystal adds to the shimmering light from the med...
Chrome
Starburst Brass Chandelier by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Aachen, NRW
Beautiful large starburst brass chandelier with hundreds of crystals designed by Emil Stejnar for Nikoll, manufactured in Austria, circa 196...
Crystal, Brass
Stunning Flower Wall Sconce by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Aachen, NRW
Nice flower shaped wall sconce or flush mount designed by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s. High quality and in very good condition. Cleaned,...
Glass
Stunning Flower Wall Sconce by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Aachen, NRW
Nice flower shaped wall sconce or flush mount designed by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s. High quality and in very good condition. Cleaned,...
Glass
Stunning Flower Wall Sconce by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Aachen, NRW
Nice flower shaped wall sconce or flush mount designed by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s. High quality and in very good condition. Cleaned, w...
Large Flower Flush Mount by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Aachen, NRW
Large flower shaped flush mount designed by Emil Stejnar in Austria, 1960s. It features a brass frame with hundreds of crystal glasses surrounding the frame creating a spectacular fl...
Oval Emil Stejnar Glass Blossom and White Lacquered Metal Mirror, Austria
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Hamburg, DE
Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of this Vintage Oval Emil Stejnar Glass Blossom and White Lacquered Metal Mirror, a masterpiece designed in the 1950s by the acclaimed Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll in Austria. This illuminated mirror, with its rare and noble oval shape, effortlessly marries midcentury sophistication with modern refinement. Many meticulously arranged Lucite flowers and florets adorn the mirror, creating a captivating visual symphony. Stejnar's artistic brilliance shines through in every detail, making this mirror a testament to midcentury design excellence. Remarkably preserved, this mirror is in excellent condition, showcasing only minor and superficial traces of age on the white lacquered metal and glass. These subtle signs of wear, consistent with its midcentury origins, do not compromise the mirror's overall beauty. There are no damages, and the mirror remains free of cloudy blind spots, ensuring flawless functionality. Having undergone careful cleaning and polishing, this vintage mirror stands...
Metal
Emil Stejnar, Large Snowflake Chandeliers, Brass, Glass, Austria, 1965
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Austrian circular chandeliers, brass and glass, 1960s Pair of sputnik style circular chandeliers having glass flowers and faceted beads. Designed and p...
Brass
Rare 1960's flush mount light design by Emil Stejnar
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sexy and rare flush mount light design by Emil Stejnar
Metal, Brass
Emil Stejnar Snowflake Chandelier, Sputnik Snowball Chandelier for Nikoll 60 cm
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular Sputnik Chandelier looks like a flowers explosion.It features a multitude of brass rods ending with bulbs or clear crystal flowers. Each rod is directly fixed on its...
Brass
Emil Stejnar Austria Six Light Brass Blown Glass Flush Mount Sputnik Orbit, 1950
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Miami, FL
Emil Stejnar six light sputnik pendant lamp, orbit chandelier in brass and blown glass elements by Rupert Nikoll. Original condition wired for the US and takes 6 Light Bulbs max. 40...
Brass
Midcentury Flush or Wall Mount Lamp by Emil Stejnar
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass construction with four E14 sockets, designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll in Vienna in the 1950s.
Brass
$2,650
Emil Stejnar Flush Mount
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Miami, FL
Nice small Emil Stejnar flush mount. Seven lights, 25 watts max per bulb. US rewired and in working condition.
Glass
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
Largest Emil Stejnar Snowflake Chandelier Brass & Glass Austria
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Miami, FL
Fantastic Emil Stejnar snowflake chandelier, 36 lights, unique look. The chandelier has been completely restored, US rewired and refinished. As ...
Brass
Floral mirror by Emil Stejnar for Ruper Nikoll, 1950, Austria
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Brussels, BE
Floral mirror by Emil Stejnar for Ruper Nikoll, 1950, Austria
Metal
Austrian Stejnar Crytal Flush Light , 1960s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Delft, NL
Austrian Stejnar Crytal Flush Light , 1960s Dimensions: 30 cm Diameter, 9cm Height Material: Metal, Crystal Color: Purple, gold, white
Crystal, Metal
Emil Stejnar Snowflake Chandelier, Sputnik Snowball Chandelier for Nikoll 50 cm
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular Sputnik Chandelier looks like a flowers explosion.It features a multitude of brass rods ending with bulbs or clear crystal flowers. Each rod is directly fixed on its...
Brass
Austrian Mid-Century Glass and Brass Chandelier Pendant by Emil Stejnar
By Emil Stejnar
Located in London, GB
An early model pendant light by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. Austria, c1950s. Brass centre with glass decorations. Hosted on a long stem which can be shortened upon re...
Brass