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.
Large Palwa Chandelier or Pendant Light, Gilt Brass Cut Crystal Glass, 1970s
By Palme & Walter, J.T. Kalmar, Bakalowits & Söhne, J.L Lobmeyr
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 Palwa, Palme & Walter
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
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
Pair of Large Palwa Sconces Wall Lights, Gilt Brass and Cut Crystal Glass, 1970
By Bakalowits & Söhne, J.L Lobmeyr, 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
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
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 flowers a...
Brass
Small modernist chandelier by Palme & Walter, Palwa, Germany, circa 1960
By Palme & Walter, Palwa
Located in Paris, FR
Small modernist lantern-shaped chandelier in gilded brass and crystals. Two lights. Total height: 95 cm (37.4 inches) Height without cain and pavilion: 28 cm (11.02 inches) Width: 12...
Crystal, Brass
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
Palme & Walter Chandelier, brass and crystal pendants, 1970's
By Palme & Walter
Located in BELFORT, FR
Beautiful crystal and brass pendant chandelier by Palme & Walter, made in the 1970s.
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Palwa Chandelier, Nickel Cut Crystal Glass, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa, Palme & Walter, Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful chandelier by Palwa (Palme & Walter), Germany, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960. It is made of a nickel-plated brass frame decorated with chains of cut crystal glas...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Beautiful Set of Three German Vintage Glass and Brass Wall Lights Sconces, 1960s
By Palme & Walter
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of three beautiful crystal glass and gold plated brass sconces. Germany, 1960s. Lamp sockets: 2.
Crystal, Brass
Crystal Glass "Palwa" Chandelier Around 1970s
By Palme & Walter, Palwa
Located in Wien, AT
Crystal Glass Palwa chandelier around 1970s Original condition.
Crystal, Brass
Brutalist Gilt Relief Chandelier by Palwa, Germany 1970s
By Palme & Walter
Located in Antwerp, BE
A fabulous jewel-like Palwa 24K gilded Chandelier composed of rows of shaped suspended crystal,gilded 24K elements with a brutalist relief. Designed by Palm...
Glass
Flush Mount Gilded Chandelier by Palwa
By Palwa, Palme & Walter
Located in Vienna, AT
Gilded brass frame with brass and glass elements, fitted with 6 E14 sockets. Manufactured in Germany in the 1970s by Palwa
Gold Plate, Brass
Palwa Flush Mount Glass Blossoms 1970s Glass Crystals and Gilt Brass
By Palme & Walter
Located in Mannheim, DE
Very beautiful midcentury ceiling fixture manufactured by Palwa (Palme & Walter) in the 1970s. The shade consists of 19 large blossoms made...
Crystal, Brass
One of Two Palwa Backlit Mirrors Sconces Wall Lights, Nickel Crystal Glass, 1960
By Palwa, Palme & Walter, Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two high quality and handmade illuminated crystal glass mirrors by Palwa (Palme & Walter), Germany, manufactured in midcentury,...
Crystal
Pair of Palwa Sconces Wall Lights, Gilt Brass and Crystal Glass, 1970
By Palwa, Palme & Walter
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of beautiful hollywood regency wall lights by Palwa (Palme and Walter), Germany, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The lamp shades are mad...
Crystal, Brass
Set of Two Palwa Crystal and Brass Wall Sconces, Germany, 1970s
By Palme & Walter
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of two 1960s wall lights by Palme and Walter, Germany. Features eight glass crystal teardrops on a frame made of brass, gilt circles. Lit by two bulbs.23.5 W x 28 H x 10 D cm.
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Palwa Sconces Wall Lights in Gilded Brass with Large Crystals, 1960s
By Palme & Walter, Palwa
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of beautiful wall lights by Palwa (Palme and Walter), Germany, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (1960s-1970s). The lamp shades are made of gilded / gilt / gold-plated br...
Brass
Gilded Chandelier by Palwa
By Palme & Walter, Palwa
Located in Vienna, AT
Gilded brass frame with brass and glass elements, fitted with 5 E14 sockets. Manufactured in Germany in the 1970s by Palwa
Gold Plate, Brass
Crystal Wall Lights by Palme & Walter Palwa, 1960s, Set of 2
By Palwa, Palme & Walter
Located in KUTNO, PL
A stunning pair of wall sconces from the renowned German manufacturer Palme & Walter, known under the Palwa brand, specializing in luxury lighting with jewelry elements. The wall...
Metal, Brass
$2,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Austrian 1960s Cut Crystal Floral Form Wall Sconces By Palme & Walter Palwa
By Palme & Walter
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Beautiful Pair 1960's Mid Century Modern Austrian Cut Crystal Floral Form Wall Sconces. 24K framed. Signed by Palme & Walter. All crystal present and please note the color of the cry...
Crystal
Palwa - Palme & Walter illuminated mirror
By Palme & Walter
Located in Hannover, DE
A round wall mirror by Palme & Walter with indirect lighting and crystals from the 1970s. Absolutely high-quality craftsmanship! The brass frame is gold-plated, and the glass stones ...
Brass
Palwa - Palme & Walter illuminated mirror
By Palme & Walter
Located in Hannover, DE
A round wall mirror by Palme & Walter with indirect lighting and crystal flowers from the 1970s. Absolutely high-quality workmanship! The brass frame is gold-plated and the flowe...
Brass
Bakalowits Round Backlit Wall Mirror with Chrome and Crystal Glass, 1960s
By Palme & Walter
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Bakalowits Round Backlit Wall Mirror with Chrome and Crystal Glass, 1960s Beautiful and luxury illuminated crystal glass mirror made ...
Crystal, Chrome, Nickel
Unique German Vintage Crystal Glass and Gold Brass Floor Lamp, 1950s
By Palme & Walter
Located in Berlin, DE
Amazing vintage gold-brass and large faceted crystals floor lamp. Germany, 1950s. Lamp sockets: Two x E27 (US E26).
Crystal, Metal, Brass
$990 / set
Palwa Sconces, Nickel Glass, 1970
By Palme & Walter, Palwa, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of beautiful square wall lights by Palwa (Palme and Walter), Germany, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). They are made of nickeled brass frame which is decorated with cut glass. Each lamp takes one E14 candelabra screw base bulb or LED. They are in very good condition and ready to use. These petite light...
Brass, Nickel
Palwa Palme & Walter ceiling lamp golden brass and Glass, Germany 1970's.
By Palme & Walter
Located in Paris, IDF
A Palme & Walter chandelier with Murano Venini glass drops from the 1960s! A fantastically beautiful Palwa glass drop chandelier, the chandelier body is made of gold-plated brass, w...
Brass
Pair of small modernist chandeliers by Palme & Walter, Palwa, Germany circa 1960
By Palme & Walter, Palwa
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of small modernist lantern-shaped chandeliers, in gilded brass and crystals. One light. Total height: 88 cm (34.64 inches) Height without chain nor pavilion: 16 cm (6.3 inches)...
Crystal, Brass
Set of Three Chrome Metal and Crystal Glass Flush Mount, Germany, circa 1960
By Palwa, Palme & Walter
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Set of three chrome metal and crystal glass flush mount, Germany, circa 1960.
Crystal, Metal, Chrome