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.
1950s Brass and Acrylic Cascade Table Lamps by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Schoorl, NL
The acrylic beading and contrasting brass elements add an air of opulence to these beautiful lights. We have more lights of the same style in stock. Also in different shapes and sizes.
Brass
Pair of Emil Stejnar Dandelion Sputnik table lamps
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Cork, IE
This spectacular pair of sparkling table lamps by Emil Stejnar is truly a rare find and an absolute delight for the eyes. Set on gilded brass bases each lamp holds 6 light-bulbs (in...
Brass
$1,557Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.04 in Dm 17.72 in
Chandelier Snowball Sputnik by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hamburg, DE
This enchanting chandelier was designed by Emil Stejnar in the 1950s for the Viennese lighting manufacturer Rupert Nikoll. Stejnar's ceiling lamps are characterized by star shapes an...
Crystal, Brass
$2,600 / set
H 5.52 in Dm 11.03 in
Pair of Emil Stejnar Sputnik Sconces Wall Lights, Gilt Brass Crystal Glass, 1970
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of beautiful Viennese snowflake / blow ball / Sputnik wall lights designed by Emil Stejnar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). High-...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
Beautiful brass chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in München, DE
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern brass chandelier. Design by Emil Stejnar. Manufactured by Rupert Nikoll. Made in Austria. Stunning, elaborate design from the 1950s. Twelve E14 sockets, ...
Metal, Brass
Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll vienna around 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Wien, AT
Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll vienna around 1950s Brass polished and stove enameled
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
$1,800
H 13 in W 11 in D 4 in
Emil Stejnar Pair Midcentury Brass Flower Sconces, Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of lovely Austrian floral brass wall lights with three arms, glass crystals and integrated switches. Designed by Emil Stejnar, executed by Rupert Nikoll in the 1950s. Professi...
Crystal, Brass
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
$837 / set
H 8.27 in W 9.85 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Midcentury Wall Lamps, Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very nice style of lighting.
Brass
$2,157
H 23.63 in Dm 15.75 in
Midcentury Brass Cascade Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1960s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Hagenbach, DE
A brass Cascade chandelier made by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria in the 1960s. The lighting has an amazing midcentury design. It is made of brass and small glasses and fits...
Brass
$1,200 / item
H 16 in W 12 in D 5 in
Two Large Emil Stejnar Flower Brass Sconces by Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to two large floral brass wall lights with three arms, glass crystals and integrated switches. Price is per piece. Designed by Emil Stejnar, executed by Rupert Nikoll in the 1950s...
Crystal, Brass
$1,821
H 15.75 in Dm 14.18 in
Rupert Nikoll for Emil Stejnar Snowball Sputnik Chandelier, 1950s Vienna
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very rare Sputnik chandelier designed by Emil Stejnar, circa 1955 and executed by Rupert Nikoll, Vienna.
Brass
$3,900
H 28 in Dm 12 in
Emil Stejnar Gold-Plated Midcentury Dandelion Sputnik Blowball Chandelier, 1970s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Magnificent snowflake blowball sputnik chandelier from the 1970s, designed by Emil Stejnar. Exclusive gold-plated model. Made in Vienna, Austria by Rupert Nikoll. Has a diameter of 1...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in Dm 11.03 in
Unique Blowball Sputnik Table Lamp by Emil Stenjar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Blowball table lamp from about 1960. Gold-plated brass, glass flowers and glass stones.
Gold Plate, Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in Dm 11.03 in
Unique Blowball Sputnik Table Lamp by Emil Stenjar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Blowball table lamp from about 1960. Gold-plated brass, glass flowers and glass stones.
Brass, Gold Plate
A Beautiful Blowball Sputnik Table Lamp by Emil Stejnar for Nikoll, Vienna
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Austrian snowflake blowball Sputnik table or side lamp. Gold-plated brass. Designed by Emil Stejnar, executed by the Austrian manufacturer Rupert Nikoll. Excellent condit...
Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in Dm 11.03 in
Pair of Gold-Plated Sputnik Blowball Table Desk Lamps by Emil Stejnar and Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
Beautiful pair of sputnik table lamps designed by Emil Stejnar and executed by Rupert Nikoll Vienna. Very exclusive 24 carat gold-plated version with a lot of Austrian crystal balls ...
Brass
Pair Viennese Blowball Sputnik Desk Lamps By Emil Stenjar Nikoll Vienna
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Very outstanding snowflake blowball sputnik lamps, to use as desk-lamps or bedside-lamps. Very exclusive 24 carat gold-plated model. Designed by Emil Stejnar, executed by the Viennes...