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.
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
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
Starburst Brass Chandelier by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
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
Starburst Brass Chandelier by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Aachen, NRW
Beautiful large starburst brass flush mount with hundreds of crystals designed by Emil Stejnar for Nikoll, manufactured in Austria, circa 1960s. Heavy quality and in good conditio...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Emil Stejnar sconces 1960
By Emil Stejnar
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Pair of wall sconces by Emil Stejnar in gilded brass and fully restored glass, vintage condition. Austria around 1960. Height 43 cm - 17 po Width 34 cm - 13 po
Gold Plate, Brass
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...
Snowflake Crystal Sputnik Chandelier by Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll, ca. 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Geneva, CH
Vintage Snowflake Crystal Sputnik chandelier by Emil Stejnar for the Austrian Lighting manufacture Rupert Nikoll ca. 1960s. 50 cm diameter, 80 cm high. Very bright and decorative. 13...
Crystal, 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 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
$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
Emil Stejnar, Chrome and Glass Sputnik from 70s
By Emil Stejnar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Catania, CT
Good vintage condition for this chrome and lacquer sputnik designed by Emil Stejnar and produced from Kalmar during the 70s.
Chrome
Emil Stejnar 32-Light Austrian Chandelier for Rupert Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar
Located in North Miami, FL
Very large, rare thirty-two-light Sputnik chandelier by Emil Stejnar. Restored and rewired to perfection.
Crystal, 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