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.
$7,787
H 37.8 in Dm 17.72 in
Emil Stejnar Dandelion Chandelier, 45 cm Sputnik Snowball Chandelier for Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular Sputnik Chandelier looks like a flowers explosion.It features a multitude of brass rods ending with bulbs or clear crystal flowers. E...
Brass
Dandelion Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar, Ernest Palme, Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in München, DE
Wonderful chandelier from the 1950s. The lamp with its lavishly decorated flowers and brass details has a very luxurious look and sparkles particularly beautifully. The design and th...
Metal
$7,100
H 26.78 in Dm 13.78 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Chandelier Dandelion Emil Stejnar Austria c 1955
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage chandelier dandelion shape designed by Emil Stejnar, 1955 and executed by Rupert Nikoll in Vienna. A fantastic chandelier with charming vibes and feel. Per...
Crystal, Brass
$3,900
H 16 in Dm 13 in
Emil Stejnar Nickel-Plated Dandelion Sputnik Blowball Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Mid-Century snowflake blowball sputnik chandelier from the 1950s. Designed by Emil Stejnar, manufactured by Rupert Nikoll Vienna / Austria. Made of nickel-plated brass, ...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
1960s German Sputnik Dandelion Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
Awesome glass and brass dandelion chandelier, made in Germany in the 1960s. The chandelier has got twelve lights and 52 glass blossoms. Brass polished but still with nice warm patina.
Brass
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in Dm 13.78 in
Dandelion Chandelier Crystal & Brass, Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll, Austria 1950
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant dandelion chandelier with sputnik crystal flowers mounted on a mirrored frame with a brass hardware. Designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria in the 1950s....
Brass
Emil Stejnar Dandelion, Sputnik Snowball Pendant Chandelier
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Emil Stejnar Dandelion, Sputnik Snowball Pendant Chandelier, Very usable "as is" would be amazing with some minor restoration,,(PRICED ACCORDINGLY) missing a couple of flowe...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
$7,444
H 27.56 in Dm 23.63 in
Large 33-Lights Chandelier Dandelion by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in München, BY
A breath taking light object. Rare, lovely and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern 33-flamed sputnik chandelier 'dandelion'. Designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 195...
Brass
$2,355
H 80 in W 44 in D 44 in
austrian mid century emil stejnar CHANDELIER hanging lamp dandelion sputnik ceil
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Mannheim, DE
Magnificent Austrian mid century chandelier designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna in the mid 1950s. Material brass, white painted metal and glass. A total of 33 arms ext...
Brass
Dandelion Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Ernest Palme, Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll, Palwa, Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in München, DE
Wonderful chandelier from the 1950s. The lamp with its lavishly decorated flowers and brass details has a very luxurious look and sparkles particularly beautifully. The design and th...
Metal
Vintage Space Age Atomic Chrome Sputnik Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Newly Rewired Materials: Polished Chrome, Glass Bulbs This striking polished chrome chandelier captures the optimistic spirit of the Space Age era, when society looked t...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Crystal & Brass Tier Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition : Newly Rewired, Shows Minor Patina on Brass Materials: Brass, Original Crystals
Crystal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Height Adjustable Murano Glass Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly Rewired, New Linen Shade Dimensions: 28”-32”H x 7” W x 7” D Shade 10”H x 15” W x 15” D
Brass
Italian Renaissance Revival Painted Iron Six-Light Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition (Newly Rewired, New Socket , New Cover) This Italian Renaissance Revival six-light chandelier, dating to the 1940's, features an ornate painted...
Iron
Mid-Century Regency Glass Floor Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Newly Rewired, New Linen Shade Materials: Reverse Painted Glass, Gilt Metal Base, New Linen Shade Dimensions: 58”H x 13.50”W x 13.50”D Shade: 13"H x 18"W x 18"D This st...
Metal
Italian Gilt Tole Floral Crystal Candelabra Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Giltwood, Original Electrical Wiring This Italian gilt tole candelabra lamp is a dazzling example of Rococo-inspired design, craft...
Giltwood
