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
Stunning Mid-Century American Modern Craft Mirror by Dean Santner
By George Nakashima, Dean Santner, Wendell Castle
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 mo...
Wood
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
$2,139Sale 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
$3,895
H 54.5 in W 48 in D 20 in
George Nelson Leather & Walnut Illuminated Vanity with Mirror & Ottoman for Herm
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
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, Wood
$2,141
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
$3,215Sale 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
$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
Wall-mounted salon vanity set from the 1950s comprising a frameless mirror and a coordinating wooden shelf with drawer. The mirror features scalloped concave notches at each corner, ...
Mirror, Wood
$3,034Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 39.38 in D 78.75 in
Romeo Rega 1970s Italian Midcentury Table in Stainless Steel, brass and Mirror
By Romeo Rega
Located in bari, IT
This spectacular table, designed by Romeo Rega, is made of steel, brass and mirrored glass. Rega’s furniture is characterized by geometric shapes and reduced forms. His designs are ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,795
H 28 in W 52.25 in D 22.25 in
Paul McCobb Vanity Table for Calvin, Irwin Collection, Circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid-century modern vanity table in Honduran mahogany by Paul McCobb, for Calvin Furniture, Irwin Collection, circa late 1950s.
Mirror, Mahogany
$6,994
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
$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
Vanity with Mirror & Original Lacquer Finish 1950's
Located in Fulton, CA
Glamorous lacquered dressing vanity / dresser with contrasting colors of black and yellow. Large mirror for dressing, glass top surface for durability. Three drawers and two drop-dow...
Mirror, Wood