The Bohemian tradition of opulent handcrafted crystal lighting begins with the Palme name — founded in 1724 in Parchen, Bohemia (Austria-Hungary), Christoph Palme & Co. was initially named for lighting designer Josef Palme, who created crystal chandeliers by hand for the likes of King Louis XV and Austrian royalty. (A venturesome style of chandelier with no central supporting post was created during the era for Austrian Empress Maria Theresa before she was crowned Queen of Bohemia in 1743 — now known as the Maria Theresa chandelier — and Josef Palme created fixtures in this style.)
When Josef died, his younger brother Christoph took the helm of the family-owned company during the mid-18th century, and the brand has retained the name since then.
Over time, Christoph Palme chandeliers and other lighting fixtures could be found in the living quarters of Russian Tsarina Elisabeth, Turkish Sultan Oman III, and in the decadent palaces of the kings of Saudi Arabia. In the postwar years, Palme lighting facilities trading under a range of names opened in West Germany, including Reinhold Palme & Sohne, Palme & Walter, Gerhard Palme and Christoph Palme Leuchten.
A handful of electric chandeliers manufactured by Christoph Palme & Co. were installed in the East Room of the White House during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency owing to Edward F. Caldwell & Co. having commissioned the historic manufacturer to create the fixtures. That Manhattan’s Edward F. Caldwell & Co. partnered with Christoph Palme lighting shouldn’t surprise collectors — the New York City firm was a leading electric lighting company whose own quality elegant fixtures borrowed heavily from Baroque, Rococo and other historical styles.
Chandeliers have evolved over time, but their classic elegance has remained unchanged. Not only will the right chandelier prove impressive in a given room, but it can also offer a certain sense of practicality.
In the modern era, the work of Christoph Palme & Co. has reflected changing tastes and an effort to preserve and uphold the sterling reputation of the centuries-old manufacturer. Brass and gold-plated mid-century modern designs were occasionally outfitted with an exquisite array of Swarovski crystals that dazzled in daylight, while partnerships with Venini and Palwa during the 1960s and 1970s yielded magnificent Hollywood Regency–style sconces and flush mount ceiling lights that drew on natural forms and often featured an integration of clear Murano glass “drops” mounted on gilt-brass frames.
On 1stDibs, find antique and vintage Palme & Walter lighting on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $2,945 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
$2,775
H 8 in Dm 15.75 in
1960's Hollywood Regency 24K Lead Crystal Flush Mount Fixture by Palme & Walter
By Palme & Walter
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Grand 1960's Hollywood Regency Gold Plate with Cut and Leaded Crystal Ceiling Flush Mount Fixture/ Plafonnier. Signed by Palme & Walter. 6 lights. Absolutely stunning fixture, dr...
Crystal
$13,700
H 27.56 in Dm 26.78 in
Large Palwa Chandelier or Pendant Light, Gilt Brass Cut Crystal Glass, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Bakalowits & Söhne, J.L Lobmeyr, Palme & Walter
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A large and gorgeous 24-karat gold-plated brass hollywood regency chandelier or pendant light by Palwa (Palme & Walter), Germany, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1970 (end of ...
Gold, Brass
Palwa Chandelier or Pendant Light, Gilt Brass and Crystal Glass, 1960s
By Palme & Walter, Palwa
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A gorgeous and high quality gold-plated brass chandelier or pendant light by Palwa (Palme & Walter), Germany, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1960. Hundreds of gilded brass rings with cut-glass crystals in different sizes. A round textured glass disc is mounted at the bottom to cover the bulb fittings and to create a fantastic light effect. An awesome hollywood regency light fixture...
Crystal, Brass
Palwa - Palme & Walter illuminated mirror
By Palme & Walter
Located in Hannover, DE
An oval wall mirror by Palme & Walter with indirect lighting and crystal flowers from the 1960s. Absolutely high-quality workmanship! The brass frame is gold-plated and the flowe...
Brass
$5,990 / set
H 22.05 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Large Palwa Sconces Wall Lights, Gilt Brass and Cut Crystal Glass, 1970
By J.L Lobmeyr, Bakalowits & Söhne, Palwa, Palme & Walter, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of large and fantastic Mid-Century Modern wall lights by Palwa (Palme and Walter), Germany, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The lamp shad...
Crystal, Brass, Gold, Gold Plate
Chandelier by Palme & Walter with Murano glass drops by Venini
By Palme & Walter, Christoph Palme
Located in Hannover, DE
A chandelier by Palme & Walter with Murano glass droplets by Venini from the 1960s and 1970s! A stunningly beautiful Palwa glass droplet chandelier, the chandelier body is made of go...
Metal
Palwa - Palme & Walter illuminated mirror
By Palme & Walter
Located in Hannover, DE
Ein runder Wandspiegel der Fa. Palme & Walter mit indirekter Beleuchtung mit Kristallen aus den 1960er Jahren. Absolut hochwertige Verarbeitung! Der Messingrahmen ist vergoldet und d...
Brass
$3,400 / item
H 4.73 in Dm 20.48 in
Palwa Backlit Mirror or Wall Light Sconce, Nickel Crystal Glass, 1960s, 1 of 2
By Palwa, Palme & Walter
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A high quality and handmade illuminated crystal glass mirror by Palwa (Palme & Walter), Germany, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 19...
Crystal, Nickel, Brass
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||
|
| $2,945 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $890-$5,000 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |