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 Mirror with Glass Blossoms by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Palwa, Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Houston, TX
Austrian mirror with glass blossoms by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. Stunning round Austrian mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, circa 19...
Glass, Mirror
Illuminated Mirror Glass & Brass by Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant illuminated mirror with pearls on a brass frame. Designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria in the 1950s. Measures: diameter 17.7" in. (45 cm). Lighting: ...
Crystal, Brass
Gorgeous 1950s Mid-Century Modernist 26" Backlit Mirror by Emil Stejnar, Vienna
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Gorgeous illuminated mirror in mid-century style surrounded by countless crystal flowers on a round mirror with an enameled metal frame. The backlit glass flowers arranged all around...
Crystal, Metal, Enamel
$2,927Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Mirror by Emil Stejnar, Art Glass, Austria
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
Illuminating vintage wall mounted mirror by Emil Stejnar from the 1960s. Featured with glass flowers. Manufactured in Vienna by Rupert Nikoll. Perfect condition. Originally illuminat...
Art Glass, Mirror
Emil Stejnar Mid-Century Modern Circular Backlit Amber Wall Mirror 1950 Vienna
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage circular like wall mirror backlit framed with lucite flowers in amber color tone by Emil Stejnar 1950s Austria. The wall m...
Metal
$1,074Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.19 in Dm 18.12 in
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Rattan Flower Shaped Wall Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Flower Wall Mirror in Rattan A beautiful flower shaped mirror handcrafted in bamboo and rattan, Spain, 1960s. This stunning round mirror is framed by a bamboo ring accented by rattan...
Wicker, Rattan, Mirror, Cane, Bamboo
Vintage Back light Mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll 1950s
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 54,5 cm Diameter , 9 cm Height Condition: Good Period: 1970s Material: Metal , glass , plastic Color: Multicolored
Metal
$2,572
H 3.55 in Dm 16.54 in
Mid-Century Modern Round Mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
One illuminated round mirror with background illumination and brass and Lucite flowers by Emil Stejnar. Looking in this mirror will turn you into a princess when you pull the cord sw...
Metal
Spanish Mid-Century Modern Giltwood Sunburst Mirror, Circa 1980
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant vintage Spanish sunburst mirror, circa 1980, crafted from carved wood and finished in hand-applied gold leaf. Layered radiating rays surround a circular central mirror, creat...
Gold Leaf
$1,143Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.93 in W 16.93 in D 3.15 in
Illuminated floral mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria 1950s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in ECHT, NL
Back lit wall mirror. Designed by Emil Stejnar and produced by Rupert Nikoll, Austria in the 1950s. The mirror has an edge made from numerous glass flowers that reflect en disperse t...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Brass Sunburst Loop Mirror by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst loop Mirror in brass made by Josef Frank. Made by Svensk Tenn in the 1960. In a ferry good condition whit clear glass mirror. Josef frank was an Austr...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Mirror Brass, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern sunburst mirror brass, circa 1960 Traditionally manufactured in France. By unknown designer. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, pres...
Metal
$714Sale Price|28% Off
H 22.84 in W 22.84 in D 1.58 in
Vintage Teak Square Wall Mirror, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1970s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage Teak Square Wall Mirror, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1970s Unusually shaped vintage wall mirror features a square-shaped teak wood frame with iron details surrounding a round...
Iron
$1,859 / item
H 1.5 in Dm 18 in
Neoclassical Signed 1950s Brass Sunburst Mirrors, Convex Mirror Made in Belgium
Located in Miami, FL
Neoclassical 1950s signed convex brass mirrors from Belgium. Size of the convex mirror inside: 11.5 inches diameter. Looks stunning as a Group Wa...
Brass
Brass "Sunflower" Mirror, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Charming Mid-Century brass "sunflower" or sunburst mirror. The main brass rim is surrounded by delicate "petals" made of brass wire. Nice original condition with patina on the brass ...
Brass
$2,600
H 3.15 in Dm 20.08 in
Emil Stejnar Backlit Mirror, Rupert Nikoll, Brass Glass White Metal, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar, Vereinigte Werkstätten München, Stilnovo, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A round wall mirror with illuminated background designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s). The mirror c...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Mirror Brass, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern sunburst mirror brass, circa 1960 Traditionally manufactured in France. By unknown designer. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, pres...
Metal
Round Illuminated Rupert Nikoll Lucite Flower Mirror, Vienna, Austria
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Designed by Emil Stejnar and manufactured by Rupert Nikoll for the Vienna Cafe Ohne Pause Espresso at Graben Austria, 1955. This mirror is eye candy to look at during daytime and stardom with the light on when its dark...
Brass, Magnets, Metal