Alf Svensson for Bergboms, pair of Wall lamps, Sweden, 1950s

About the Item

Pair of Sculptural Brass Wall Lamps by Alf Svensson for Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s An elegant and increasingly scarce pair of sculptural wall lamps designed by Alf Svensson for Bergboms, Sweden, during the 1950s. Combining clean Scandinavian modernism with refined craftsmanship, these sconces embody the sophisticated lighting design that established Bergboms as one of Sweden’s most respected lighting manufacturers. Each lamp features a beautifully patinated brass frame supporting a cylindrical perforated brass shade. The finely pierced pattern creates a warm and atmospheric play of light, projecting delicate points of illumination while softly diffusing the light source. The gently curved arm and balanced proportions give the design a sculptural quality, making the lamps equally appealing whether illuminated or displayed as decorative objects. Executed entirely in brass, the lamps have developed a rich natural patina over decades, enhancing their authentic mid-century character. Their restrained elegance allows them to complement a wide range of interiors, from Scandinavian Modern and Mid-Century Modern to contemporary and minimalist spaces. The pair remains in very good vintage condition with expected wear and patina consistent with age and use. One of the original switch knobs is missing, a minor detail that has been reflected in the pricing and does not affect the overall functionality of the lamps. An interesting opportunity for collectors is that a matching shorter wall lamp is also available separately. This additional fixture can be mounted using the same two wall screws, making it possible to interchange the lamps depending on the desired composition or installation. A highly decorative and collectible pair by one of Sweden’s most celebrated lighting designers, representing the timeless quality and understated elegance of Scandinavian design from the golden age of the 1950s.

Creator:
Bergboms (Manufacturer),Alf Svensson (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 18.9 in (48 cm)Diameter: 5.52 in (14 cm)
Power Source:
Plug-in
Voltage:
220-240v
Lampshade:
Included
Style:
Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Plastic
Place of Origin:
Sweden
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1950
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. One original switch knob is missing. Fully functional. A matching shorter version is available separately.
Seller Location:
Hammarö, SE
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU10907250828892

Shop All Alf Svensson

Alf Svensson

Swedish architect and furniture designer Alf Svensson worked with a range of organic materials that are today commonly associated with Scandinavian modernism, utilizing rosewood, oak and teak in his cabinets, chairs, tables and other furniture, and opting for leather when it came to creating upholstery for his sleek seating. He worked for several manufacturers including String Seffle AB, Bergbom & Co., Nybrofabriken and Nesto but is best known to collectors for the designs he created for DUX.

As creative director at Bergboms, Svensson worked with brass and opaline glass to create a range of lighting. He designed sculptural tripod-style floor lamps with bodies of steam-bent solid teak — a popular material with furniture makers of the mid-20th century — while his hanging ceiling lights featured lacquered metal shades that bring pops of color into living rooms and entryways.

Svensson’s role at the lighting manufacturer, which was founded in 1940 by Efraim Ljung — also the founder of Ljungs Industrier — saw him collaborating with the likes of legendary designers such as Greta Magnusson Grossman and Edward Wormley, a favorite of mid-century modern furniture collectors and the longtime director of design for the Dunbar furniture company.

Svensson also served as the creative director at Ljungs Industrier. In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). In 1950, Folke Ohlsson, then leading Ljungs Industrier’s design team, decamped to the States to explore how he could expand DUX’s business, which at that point included a wide range of furniture. It was during this time, in the postwar era, that American tastemakers really sold the citizenry on the warmth and good craftsmanship that characterizes Scandinavian modern design.

Ohlsson established a DUX office not long after he arrived in California, first in San Francisco and later in Burlingame. Svensson, a chief designer in the Malmö, Sweden, office of Ljungs Industrier, was among the top-tier furniture design talent with which DUX collaborated (a list that included Wormley and Bruno Mathsson). Svensson’s Galaxy chair, a comfortable upholstered swivel seat attributed to a partnership between the designer and Yngvar Sandström that exudes Space Age charm, is highly sought after, and Svensson's relationship with DUX yielded similarly attractive sideboards, lounge chairs and other furnishings that are some of his most celebrated works.

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