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.
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...
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 Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
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
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