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.
Rare Midcentury Emil Stejnar Illuminated Floral Oval Shape Mirror, Austria 1950s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish Mid-Century Modern vanity / make up hallway mirror for wall mounting, 1950s. An exceptional and highly collectible piece by famed Austrian designer Emil Stejnar, this illumi...
Metal
Fine French Art Deco Illuminated Chrome Table Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French 1930s partially adjustable vanity/table mirror in chrome. Signed (not identified).
Chrome
$2,109Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.49 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Olof Ottelin, 1950s Vanity Desk Elisabeth for Stockmann Oy, Finland
By Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, Olof Ottelin, Oy Stockmann AB
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Stylish Mid-Century Modern vanity desk with two drawers made in mahogany. Two sliding mirrors covering two glass shelves for storing make-up and oth...
Mirror, Mahogany
$6,915
H 71.66 in W 71.66 in D 18.12 in
Italian Midcentury Vanity Dresser in Parchment by Pierluigi Colli, 1950s
By Colli Torino
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This is a splendid vanity table or petineuse designed by Pierluigi Colli and crafted in Turin in the first half of the 1900s. The attention to detail is remarkable, with a plethora of exquisite features that elevate it to a true design masterpiece. The panels are adorned with parchment, while the solid maple is expertly carved with intricate designs. The golden frames finished with pure gold leaf add an opulent touch, the marvelous embossed brass lamps...
Glass, Mirror, Maple
$3,895
H 54.5 in W 48 in D 20 in
George Nelson Leather & Walnut Illuminated Vanity with Mirror & Ottoman for Herm
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions 54.50in H x 48in W x 20in D Desk Height 27in Ottoman 17in H x 22.50in W x 16in D _______________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like br...
Leather, Glass, Walnut
$3,167Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
Vintage 1950s Italian Vanity/Desk with Mirror, in Solid Wood, Gio Ponti Style
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Presented here is a rare and beautiful little vanity desk, designed in the style of Giò Ponti and produced in Italy during the 1940s. Skillfully crafted from solid wood, it is a time...
Wood
1950s Light Oak Vanity by Ton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful mid-century vanity was designed and manufactured during the 1950s by Ton of Czechoslovakia. Produced in light oak this fantastic vanity has a beautiful design, w...
Oak
$2,137
H 64.97 in W 49.22 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Mirrored Dressing Table in Sycamore and Walnut, France, circa 1950
Located in London, GB
Midcentury mirrored dressing table in sycamore and walnut, France, circa 1950. The vanity table has a large trifold mirror. Two central drawers flanked by a cupboard on either side, ...
Brass
$9,963 / set
H 6.7 in W 43.31 in D 11.42 in
Set of Vanity with Mirror in Mahogany and Brass by Frode Holm, 1950s
By Frode Holm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of Vanity with Mirror in Mahogany and Brass by Frode Holm, 1950s Additional Information: Material: Mahogany, brass Style: midcentury, Scandinavian Produced by Illums Boligh...
Mahogany
$495
H 5.625 in W 31.75 in D 12 in
1950s Retro Wall Mounted Salon Vanity with Mirror and Wooden Shelf with Drawer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s Retro wall mounted salon vanity with mirror and wooden shelf with drawer. The mirror has scalloped corners. The shelf has gold trim, and matching, period drawer pulls with two ...
Mirror, Wood
$8,500
H 39.5 in W 60 in D 19 in
Roger Landault Crème Cowhide Brown Wood Vanity, France, Midcentury, 1950
By Roger Landault
Located in New York, NY
Roger Landault crème cowhide brown wood vanity, modernist, France midcentury, 1950 Beautiful vanity in fantastic vintage condition upholstered in cowhide and brass detailing to the ...
Brass
Midcentury American Studio Mirror by Dean Santner
By Wendell Castle, George Nakashima, Dean Santner
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this beautifully sculpted mirror by Dean Santner. Master Craftsman Dean Santner designs are part of the American Modern Craft movement alongside Wendell Cas...
Mirror
1950s Italian Mid Century Modern Dressing Table Console
Located in Lutz, FL
1950’s Italian Lacquered Walnut Vanity/Dressing Table with brass detailing and glass top. Long low console that would work equally as well as a hall o...
Brass