Renowned for his timeless mid-century modern lighting fixtures and decor, designer Hans Harald Rath revolutionized the crystal chandelier with his creations inspired by celestial bodies.
Rath was born in 1904 in Vienna into the famed J. & L. Lobmeyr dynasty. One of the world’s premier glassware makers and purveyors, J. & L. Lobmeyr is noted especially for its lighting and tableware designs. The family-owned firm was founded by Joseph Lobmeyr Sr. in 1823. In the 1930s, Rath assumed control of the company — the fourth-generation family member to head the business.
As J. & L. Lobmeyr’s manager, Rath oversaw the company’s glassware and lighting designs. He created many pieces himself, such as the elegant Langenzerdorf crystal flush-mount chandelier and the Alpha series of hand-blown crystal tumblers, inspired by a copper beaker from the Middle Ages.
However, Rath was most known for his Metropolitan chandelier, designed in 1964, as a commission for the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City and as a gift from Austria to thank the United States for their help in restoring Europe’s post-World War II economy.
Rath worked closely with the Opera House’s architect Wallace K. Harrison, who had specific ideas about the chandeliers’ design. He presented Rath with a book, Le Ciel, by French astrophysicist Jean-Claude Pecker, filled with pictures of distant galaxies. Inspired, Rath came up with sketches of exploding stars and presented a model of the chandelier made of “potatoes and toothpicks.” Harrison was pleased and approved Rath’s design despite its somewhat crude appearance.
At the Metropolitan Opera House’s grand opening night on Sept 16, 1966, the audience gave a rousing standing ovation when 12 of Rath’s chandeliers ascended toward the ceiling. Each chandelier was a different size and comprised tiny bulbs and starbursts made of Swarovski crystals. Today, the Metropolitan lighting line continues to be among J. & L. Lobmeyr’s best-selling pieces.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Hans Harald Rath lighting.
Huge J.L. Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera Sputnik Crystal Brass Met Chandelier Vienna
By J.L Lobmeyr, J. & L. Lobmeyr Company, Hans Harald Rath
Located in Vienna, AT
An iconic large mid-century Met Auditorium exploding star / starburst Sputnik chandelier, designed by Hans Harald Rath in 1966 and executed by J. & L. Lobmeyr, Austria. This chandeli...
Crystal, Brass
Set of Two Metropolitan Opera Foyer Sconces by Hans Harald Rath for Lobmeyr
By Hans Harald Rath, J. & L. Lobmeyr Company
Located in Munich, DE
Set of two spectacular, extremely rare and highly decorative sputnik sconces – Metropolitan Opera Foyer. Designed by Hans Harald Rath, 1963 for J. & L. Lobmeyr. Manufactured probably...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Original Lobmeyr Zahn Crystal Chandelier Mid-Century Modern, 1964, Vienna
By Woka Lamps, Hans Harald Rath, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
A very modern and stylish chandelier with hand-cut crystal balls in three layers and six bulbs, with the name "Langenzersdorf," a little village on the outskirts of Vienna. Suitable...
Brass
1960s Vintage Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera Crystal Chandelier
By Hans Harald Rath, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Buffalo, NY
1960s Vintage Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera crystal chandelier 40" diameter. Nice original condition, signed, J&L LOBMEYR / ...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.75 in W 5.25 in D 9.5 in
Single Sconce by Hans Bergstrom for Ateljé Lyktan
By Ateljé Lyktan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Sconce by Hans Bergstrom for Ateljé Lyktan. Designed and manufactured in Sweden, circa 1960's. Copper, Rewired for U.S. standar...
Copper
Lobmeyr Cristal Sconces Pair 1960s
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant set of two wall lamps made of faceted crystal and solid brass frame by Lobmeyr Vienna, Austria, 1960s. Designed with golden brass rings and fitted with over 100 hand-cut and ...
Brass
Jl Lobmeyr Colored Crystal Chandelier
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful Austrian jewel toned crystal and brass chandelier designed by Stefan Rath Hardtl for the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs...
Crystal, Brass
$4,890
H 23.63 in W 20.48 in D 4.73 in
Sconce with Glass Flowers by Oswald Haerdtl for J. & L. Lobmeyr
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
Sconce in crystal and brass. With ten glass flowers, six of them illuminated and each fitted with two SV8.5-8 festoon lamps. Designed by Oswald Haerdtl for J. & L. Lobmeyr, Vienna, ...
Brass
$3,750 / set
H 9.06 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in
Hans-Agne Jakobsson "V-149" Set of 3 Wall Sconces for AB Markaryd, Sweden 1960s
By AB Markaryd, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Utrecht, NL
While Hans-Agne Jakobsson designed and produced various types of furniture, his lighting received greater international attention, not without a good reason. As these “V-149” wall sc...
Brass
Beautiful Cut Crystal Chandelier By J.L. Lobmeyr
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass construction with three rings with crystals and nine lights. Vienna form the 1950's, signatur on the frame. Dimention of the chandelier only is: diameter 44cm (17.32in) x 20c...
Crystal, Brass, Gold Plate
$10,893
H 23.63 in Dm 29.14 in
Midcentury Modern Vintage Brass Lobmeyr Crystal Chandelier Austria circa 1945
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage brass crystal chandelier by J. & L. Lobmeyr decorated with beautiful glass flowers and crystal elements. A ...
Brass
Classic Chrome & Crystal Starburst / Sputnik Chandelier..after LOBMEYR
By J. & L. Lobmeyr Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist ,Space Age Chrome & Crystal Starburst / .Sputnik Chandelier..after LOBMEYR.. Nice quality. facited crystal, chromed nickel spikes. 12 bulb light source.tested and e...
Crystal, Chrome
Set of V220 Sconces by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, 1960s, Sweden
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Brass Sconces with Smokey Glass shades made by Hans-Agne Jakobsson in the 1960s. * Set (2) of brass sconces with smokey glass shades * Designer: Hans-Agne Jakobsson * Model:...
Brass
Glass and Brass Chandelier att. to J. L. Lobmeyr c. 1960's
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, chic, elegant and sophisticated Hollywood Regency style crystal and brass inverted bowl chandelier. This fixture features repeating faceted glass elements within the brass ...
Brass
Set of Brass Sconces by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, 1960s, Sweden
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Brass Sconces with Golden Brown Glass shades made by Hans-Agne Jakobsson in the 1960s. A classic set for a beautiful home. * Pair (2) of brass sconces with golden-brown glas...
Brass
Harald Notini Rare Sconce Model 11262 for Bohlmarks, 1950
By Bohlmarks, Harald Notini
Located in Paris, IDF
Harald Notini rare sconce Model 11262 for Bohlmarks 1950. Frame of brass with pierced shades of lacquered metal. Two light points. This rare model by Swedish designer and sculptor, ...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 58 in Dm 40 in
Huge J.L. Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera Sputnik Crystal Brass Met Chandelier Vienna
By J.L Lobmeyr, Hans Harald Rath, J. & L. Lobmeyr Company
Located in Vienna, AT
An iconic large mid-century Metropolitan Opera exploding star / starburst Sputnik chandelier, designed by Hans Harald Rath in 1966 and executed by J. & L. L...
Crystal, Brass
J.L. Lobmeyr Hans Harold Rath Metropolitan Opera Chandelier, Austria
By Hans Harald Rath, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Miami, FL
J.L. Lobmeyr Hans Harold Rath Metropolitan Opera Chandelier, Austria Offered for sale is an Austrian "Metropolitan Opera" chandelier man...
Crystal, Chrome, Wire
Sold
H 15.75 in Dm 23.63 in
Metropolitan Opera Foyer Chandelier by Hans Harald Rath for J. & L. Lobmeyr
By J. & L. Lobmeyr Company, Hans Harald Rath
Located in Munich, DE
Spectacular and highly decorative sputnik chandelier series 6725-D-11 – Metropolitan Opera Foyer. Designed by Hans Harald Rath, 1963 for J. & L. Lobmeyr. Manufactured probably in 200...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Metropolitan Opera Crystal Sputnik Chandelier, Hans Harald Rath, Lobmeyr Vienna
By J.L Lobmeyr, J. & L. Lobmeyr Company, Hans Harald Rath
Located in Vienna, AT
An iconic Mid-Century Sputnik starburst Met chandelier, designed by Hans Harald Rath in the 1966, executed by J. & L. Lobmeyr, Austria. Made of nickel-plated brass, Swarovski hand-cu...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
J. & L. Lobmeyr 'Langenzersdorf' Crystal Chandelier Vienna, 1960s
By Hans Harald Rath, J. & L. Lobmeyr Company
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant mid-century chandelier with a brass frame and sparkling hand-cut faceted crystal pearl strings. These lamps have an incomparable unique character. A touch of luxury fills the...
Crystal, Brass
Huge Metropolitan Opera Crystal Sputnik Met Chandelier by Lobmeyr Vienna, 1960s
By J.L Lobmeyr, Hans Harald Rath
Located in Vienna, AT
An iconic large midcentury "Met Auditorium" exploding star / starburst Sputnik chandelier, designed by Hans Harald Rath in 1966, executed by J. & L. Lobmeyr, Austria. This is very ea...
Crystal, Brass
1960s Austrian Chandelier by Hans Harald Rath for J.L. Lobmeyr
By Hans Harald Rath, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A petite, specular crystal and brass chandelier.
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 55.5 in W 52.5 in D 48 in
J. & L. Lobmeyr Starburst Chandelier in Chrome with Cut Crystals, 2008
By J. & L. Lobmeyr Company, Hans Harald Rath
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large starburst chandelier with 26 lights, model #6727-L-26, in polished chrome with cut crystal by Hans Harald Rath for J. & L. Lobmeyr, Vienna Austria, 2008. The height of just the...
Crystal, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera Exploding Star Chandelier
By Kalmar Lighting, J.L Lobmeyr, Stilnovo, Hans Harald Rath, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera exploding star chandelier, circa 1960s. This stunning iconic chandelier creates the effect of a starburst ...
Chrome
Sold
H 19.69 in Dm 25.99 in
Original Mid-Century Modern Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera-Chandelier Exploding Star
By Hans Harald Rath, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed in 1963 by Hans Harald Rath, "Exploding Stars" were made as a present from the Austrian people to the USA out of gratitude for rescuing Austria from the Nazi-regime for the ...
Crystal, Brass
Original Mid Century Modern Lobmeyr Meropolitan opera NY Chandelier 1966
By J.L Lobmeyr, Hans Harald Rath
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed in 1963 by Hans Harald Rath, "Exploding Stars" were made as a present from the Austrian people to the USA out of gratitude for rescuing Austria from the Nazi-regime for the ...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Hand-Cut Crystal Met Sconces
By Hans Harald Rath, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Chicago, IL
Exceptional sconces with orb-shaped and faceted crystals designed by Hans Harald Rath for J. & L. Lobmeyr (Vienna), originally for The Metropolitan Opera. Light reflects brilliantly ...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel