Swedish designer-siblings Uno Kristiansson and Östen Kristiansson are best known to collectors of vintage furniture for their imaginative lighting and mirrors. As partners, Uno & Östen Kristiansson united high-quality, practical Scandinavian modern design with fresh innovation.
Uno and Östen Kristiansson were born in southern Sweden. Their father was a furniture maker who owned a workshop — Vittsjo — that was named for the village in which it was located. In 1950, Uno opened his workshop in the same village. He called his company Luxus and brought his younger brother Östen on board as a designer and builder.
Like lots of designers of the era, the Kristianssons favored traditional teak wood but also employed more forward-looking materials such as glass, acrylic, leather and plastic. While their work spoke to the organic forms and craftsmanship that is typical of many Scandinavian modern designers, the brothers created minimalist oak mirrors and shapely pine wall lights — which often featured an integration of rattan — that set them apart from other artisans in their field.
Around 1966, Östen took over their father’s workshop and renamed it Östen Kristiansson AB. He eventually returned the company’s name to Vittsjo.
After 1970, Uno Kristiansson focused primarily on lamps and mirrors. He designed most of these works in acrylic, and wood became more of a secondary material in their composition. Collectors and interior designers continue to prize the many inventive furnishings he produced.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of vintage Uno Kristiansson table lamps, mirrors, decorative objects and more.
Uno Kristiansson, Candlesticks, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
By Uno Kristiansson, Luxus Vittsjö
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine candlesticks or storm light holders designed by Uno and Östen Kristiansson and produced by Luxus Vittsjö, Sweden, 1970s. Holds 2.0” diameter candles
Pine
David Marshall Brutalist Candlestick, Spain, 1970s
By David Marshall
Located in Barcelona, ES
Aluminium and Brass Brutalist Candle Holder by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. David Marshall Desenos Brutalist three-arm aluminum and brass candlestick. Very good condition. Original...
Brass, Aluminum
Scandinavian modernist pine candlestick candelabra, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Forserum, SE
A sculptural Scandinavian candelabra crafted from solid pinewood by an unidentified Swedish artist in the 1970s. Signed "HK" beneath the base. Features an organically shaped foot com...
Pine
$659
H 11.8 in Dm 11.4 in
Rustic Wooden Candlestick holder 1970s by Jan Johnsson for Smålandsslöjd Sweden
By Smålandsslöjd, Stig Johnsson
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
Rustic and substantial, this large handmade wooden candelabra was crafted from solid pine by Smålandsslöjd, Sweden, and designed by Stig Johnson — a celebrated artisan known for his ...
Pine
Italian Silver Plated Mesa Candleholder Candlesticks, 1970s
By Mesa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Pair of candleholders, silver-plated metal Italian tulip-shaped candlesticks designed and produced by Mesa Italy, signed Mesa Italy on the base, 1970s production. Please note that t...
Metal, Silver Plate
Candlesticks by Riedel Austria from the 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Architectural cast clear glass set of two candles, made by Riedel Austria in the 1970s Set of five.
Art Glass
Set Of 2 Large Murano Glass Candlesticks 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Set of 2 large Murano glass candlesticks from the 1970s Purchased in one of the most prestigious in Piazza San Marco in Venice, during my grandparents' honeymoon in 1966. They are in...
Murano Glass
Swedish Carved Wooden Candlestick, Pine, Gustavian Style, Circa 1870
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Swedish Carved Wooden Candlestick, Circa 1870 A finely carved and beautifully patinated Swedish candlestick dating to the late 19th century, circa 1870. Executed in pine and retai...
Wood
Architectural Scandinavian Candlesticks in Brass, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of brass candlesticks designed and manufactured in Scandinavian during the 1970s. Interesting architecturally inspired 'Ball' shaped center pieces. The candlesticks are to be ...
Brass
Vintage three-armed brass candlestick, Czechoslovakia, 1970s.
Located in Praha, CZ
This is an elegant three-armed brass candlestick with intricate details. The design is classic and ornate, with decorative elements on the arms and base. A beautiful decorative item...
Brass
$320 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 3.55 in
Karin Björquist for Gustavsberg, Two Pairs of Candlesticks, Sweden, circa 1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Karin Björquist for Gustavsberg, two pairs of candlesticks, Sweden, circa 1970s. Hallmarked. Measures: 8.5 x 3 cm. In perfect condition, 1s...
Candlesticks by Riedel Austria from the 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Architectural cast clear glass set of three candles, made by Riedel Austria in the 1970s Set of three.
Art Glass
Trio of Danish Modern Brass Candlesticks, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A trio of solid brass candlesticks manufactured in Denmark during the 1970s. The candlesticks are to be fitted with regular sixed candles. They have not been polished recently and di...
Brass