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
Unusual Emil Stejnar Brass Crystal Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, floral brass chandelier from the 1950s, designed by Emil Stejnar, executed by Rupert Nikoll Vienna. Has 10 arms and a lot of crystals and glass flower elements on it. In...
Crystal, 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
$1,905Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in Dm 23.63 in
1950s, Emil Stejnar Chandelier for Rupert Nikoll, Austria
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This exquisite mid-century chandelier, often referred to as a “snowflake” design, features a dynamic composition of brass arms radiating outward, each adorned with delicate glass flo...
Metal, Brass
Large Austrian Brass Chandelier by Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar, Wiener Werkstätte, Vereinigte Werkstätten München, J.T. Kalmar
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
Floral Emil Stejnar Modernist Brass Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Viennese mid century brass crystal chandelier. Designed by Emil Stejnar, executed by Rupert Nikoll in the 1950s. In very good condition with charming patina. Please n...
$7,913
H 27.56 in Dm 22.84 in
Eclipse Emile Stejnar Blowball Brass a Crystal Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
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
Rupert Nikoll Chandelier, Glass Copper Brass, Austria, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A Mid-Century Modern six-arm chandelier by Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, 1950s. It is made of cut-glass, natural aged copper and brass. The rod is covered by ebonized wood. The piece is de...
Brass, Copper
$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 Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
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
Austrian Brass Chandelier by Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar, Wiener Werkstätte, Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Emil Stejnar
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally beautiful chandelier from the 1950s. This lamp is very rare and impresses with its loving details. A stunning lamp and a true asset to any home. Manufacturer: Rupert N...
Metal
$2,800
H 24 in Dm 20 in
Emil Stejnar Midcentury Brass Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll Vienna, Austria, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful Austrian brass chandelier with 6 arms, designed by Emil Stejnar, executed by Rupert Nikoll in the 1950s. In very good condition. Measurements: diameter 20 in, total hei...
Brass
$2,750
H 19 in Dm 13 in
Emil Stejnar Blowball Brass & Crystal Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and unusual hemispherical blowball snowflake dandelion sputnik chandelier, designed by Emil Stejnar, manufactured in the 1950s by Rupert Nikoll, Vienna. An early model wi...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
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