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.
Austrian Beaded Glas Flower Lead Crystal Lantern, Rupert Nikoll, Austria 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
One of kind beaded glass flower and lead Crystal gilt brass mounted lantern or pendant by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s. Hexagonal brass structure completely (outsid...
Crystal, Brass
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
Large Emil Stejnar Chandelier
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Miami, FL
A rare example of Emil Stejnar Sputnik chandelier 20 lights, 25 watts per light.
Brass
Emil Stejnar Starburst Chandelier Lamp Brass Glass Gold, Austria, 1970
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Emil Stejnar snowflake blowball chandelier for Rupert Nikoll, circa 1970, featuring a 23" sphere of dandelions and twenty-five bulbs per lamp. Exclusive 24-carat gold-plated model. T...
Gold, Brass
Large Austrian Brass Chandelier by Rupert Nikoll
By J.T. Kalmar, Emil Stejnar, Wiener Werkstätte, Rupert Nikoll, Vereinigte Werkstätten München
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally beautiful and large chandelier from the 1950s. This large lamp is very rare and impresses with its loving details. A stunning lamp and a true asset to any home. Manufa...
Metal
$2,322
H 24.02 in Dm 28.35 in
Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll Brass & Crystal Chandelier, Light, 1960s, Austria
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar, Paavo Tynell
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern ceiling light, manufactured by Rupert Nikoll in 1960's, Austria, Vienna. This chandelier is a striking appearance in every room. Elegant shape and high q...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Emil Stejnar Chandeliers Brass Silver Glass, Austria Mid Century
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Emil Stejnar chandelier in silver glass, Austria circa 1950 Beautiful light from the 1950s featuring 24 lights (small bulbs e14). Good overall condition, no structural issues, newly...
Silver, Brass
$2,999Sale Price / item|37% Off
H 25 in Dm 17.75 in
Emil Stejnar Starburst Brass Glass Chandeliers, Refurbished 1950
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
1 out of 2 fully refurbished 18" ball lights by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria circa 1955- sold per piece Gorgeous set of 2 sparkling chandeliers in the original iconic des...
Brass
$4,400Sale Price / item|48% Off
H 24 in Dm 24 in
Emil Stejnar Brass Glass Chandeliers Refurbished Lamps, Austria 1950
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
1 out of 2 fully refurbished 24" ball lights by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria circa 1955- sold and priced per piece Gorgeous set of 2 sparkling starburst chandeliers in the original iconic design that has been featured worldwide, often copied but never reached. Emil Stejnar designed these for a cafe in Vienna but due to the success they were produced in larger numbers and subsequently used for homes as well. The originals show the typical brass structure with white cages and diamond crystals. The bulb sockets are white as well (There are many copies and facsimiles out there that are fully brass colored only and are made from iron). The big lights...
Brass
Rare Austrian Mid- Century Chandelier by Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Rare mid - century polished and lacquered brass and metal 12 -arms chandelier by Rupert Nikoll, Austria, circa 1950s. Socket: 12 x e14 for standard screw bulbs. Pair of matching wa...
Brass
1 of 3 Starburst Brass Chandelier by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Aachen, NRW
Beautiful large starburst brass flush-mount light with hundreds of crystals designed by Emil Stejnar for Nikoll, manufactured in Austria, circa 1960s. Heavy quality and in good co...
Crystal, Brass
$7,760
H 27.56 in Dm 22.84 in
Eclipse Emile Stejnar Blowball Brass a Crystal Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Spectacular, 1950s Emil Stejnar chandelier for Rupert Nikoll, Austria. This sparkling orb is one of the larger versions of this eclips design. The chandelier consists of a brass body...
Crystal, Brass
$2,290
H 24.81 in Dm 21.66 in
Pyra Chandelier Crystal & Brass by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria 1950
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant Pyra chandelier constructed of brass with cream colored painted florets and socket covers accented with crystal flowers and beads. This beautiful polished brass chandelier which has a beautiful patina supports clusters of dandelions that are illuminated by 6 light sources to make this a truly Stunning chandelier. Emil Stejnar designed this chandelier in 1955 for the Vienna Cafe "Ohne Pause Espresso" at Graben. "Der Graben" is one of the most famous streets in Viennas first district, the city center. In 1939 Emil Stejnar was trained as a gold- and silversmith in his hometown Vienna. In his lighting designs this background clearly shows in his attention to ornament and his keen eye for detail. This spectacular pendant lamp evokes associations with both nature and science. Designed by Emil Stejnar for Rubert Nikoll...
Crystal, Brass, Enamel
$1,120
H 28 in Dm 14.5 in
Emil Stejnar Chandelier Rupert Nikoll, Brass Crystal Glass, Lucite Vienna, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful and rare chandelier or pendant light by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria. An original mid-century vintage piece manufactured around 1950. It is made of brass...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Sold
H 23.63 in Dm 13.39 in
Fabulous Emil Stejnar Snowball Orbit Sputnik Chandelier Vintage Austria Rubert N
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sputnik thirteen-light brass fixture with copious amounts of Austrian crystals by Emil Stejnar for Nikoll. Cosmological. This glamorous delicate brass ‘Snowball’ Sputnik chandelier i...
Brass