Emil Stejnar 'Snowball' Sputnik in Chrome for Rupert Nikoll
About the Item
- Creator:Emil Stejnar (Designer),Rupert Nikoll (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Diameter: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Emil Stejnar
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.
Rupert Nikoll
The Rupert Nikoll lighting company’s biggest claim to glory came from producing work by the skilled Austrian jeweler and lighting designer Emil Stejnar. He designed several lighting and mirror pieces for the Austrian company. Stejnar had a penchant for symmetrical, rounded forms, often emulating starbursts or floral blossoms in his designs.
Very little information is recorded about the Rupert Nikoll lighting company or its namesake. The company was established in Vienna, Austria, in 1908, and later opened a branch in Munich, Germany. In 1966, its Vienna factory was relocated to Ober-Grafendorf, Austria, about 40 miles away. The company went out of business in 1986, closing the doors of all of its factories.
Decades later, Rupert Nikoll chandeliers and floor lamps still stand the test of time. 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, the 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 collectors and interior designers. The company is also celebrated for its Sumatra floor lamp, crafted from brass and featuring a curved spine and bipodal base.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Rupert Nikoll lighting, mirrors and more to illuminate your space.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Rupert Nikoll Mid-Century Modern Gold Dome PendantBy Rupert NikollLocated in New York, NYRupert Nikoll Mid-Century Modern Pendant Ceiling Chandelier With Gilt Plaster Dome and Crystal Faceted Sphere Ornaments, circa 1960. Dealer: S138XXCategory
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal
- 1960s Lightolier Sputnik Chandelier in Chrome with Glass GlobesBy LightolierLocated in New York, NYA large-scale chrome frame Sputnik chandelier, produced circa 1960s by Lightolier, with surrounding glass globe shades, radiating from a central nucleus. Very good vintage condition,...Category
Vintage 1960s Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- Midcentury French Chandelier with Adjustable ArmsLocated in New York, NYA vintage French chandelier, produced circa 1950s, with brass frame, opaline glass shades and adjustable arms. Wiring and sockets to European standard. Good vintage condition with ag...Category
Vintage 1950s French Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- French Modernist Architectural Hanging Light FixtureLocated in New York, NYA French modernist architectural hanging light fixture made of tubular steel and painted in off-white. Made in the 1930s-1940s for an interior. Designer unknown, no hallmark or signa...Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- Late 20th Century Italian Sputnik Chandelier in BrassLocated in New York, NYAn Italian Sputnik chandelier, produced within the late 20th century period, with sockets projecting from the central nucleus, surrounded by an array of brass beams, entirely suspend...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Chrome Tubular Chandelier in Style of SciolariBy Gaetano SciolariLocated in New York, NYA vintage chrome tubular chandelier in the style of Gaetano Sciolari. In good vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- Rupert Nikoll for Emil Stejnar Snowball Sputnik Chandelier, 1950s ViennaBy Rupert Nikoll, Emil StejnarLocated in Antwerp, BEVery rare Sputnik chandelier designed by Emil Stejnar, circa 1955 and executed by Rupert Nikoll, Vienna.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll Large Sputnik ChandelierBy Rupert Nikoll, Emil StejnarLocated in Waalwijk, NLEmil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, sputnik chandelier, glass, crystal, brass, Austria 1950s Large brass 'Snowball' Sputnik chandelier, mad...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Sputnik Snowball Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert NikollBy Rupert Nikoll, Emil StejnarLocated in Vienna, ATBrass construction chromed fitted with E14 sockets. Glass pearls and glass elements, designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll in the 1960s.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
- Chandelier Snowball Sputnik by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, 1950sBy Rupert Nikoll, Emil StejnarLocated in Hamburg, DEThis enchanting chandelier was designed by Emil Stejnar in the 1950s for the Viennese lighting manufacturer Rupert Nikoll. Stejnar's ceiling lamps are characterized by star shapes an...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Large Snowball Pendant by Emil Stejnar for Rupert NikollBy Rupert Nikoll, Emil StejnarLocated in Los Angeles, CALarge Snowball Pendant by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. Designed and manufactured in Austria, circa 1960's. Brass, glass. Rewired for U.S. standards. Original canopy, custom backpl...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Flower Sputnik Chandelier by Emile Stejnar for Rupert NikollBy Rupert Nikoll, Emil StejnarLocated in Antwerp, BE1950s Sputnik chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria. Made of brass and hand-cut-glass crystals. It has 17 sockets for E14 bulbs ,in excellent condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass