Snowball Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Show description

Designer	Emil Stejnar
Manufacturer	Rupert Nikoll
Design Period	1950 to 1959
Production Period	1950 to 1959
Country of Manufacture	Austria
Attribution Marks	This piece is a well-known design that is well documented in general design literature
Style	Vintage, Mid-Century
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
	A professional electrician has rewired this piece to be in working order.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use, Some of the glass flowers and glass prisms are missing
Plug Type	European Plug (up to 250V)
Product Code	SY-417233
Materials	Brass, Glass
Color	Gold, white
Height	17 cm 17 cm
Diameter	33 cm

Shipping & Delivery

Shipping Method	Ground - 3 to 5 weeks
Ships from	Germany
Returns	Returns accepted within 14 days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Delivery Details

Delivery will be completed by a parcel service such as UPS, DHL, or FedEx.
You will receive a tracking number to monitor the status of your shipment.
Delivery will take place between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine the packaging upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damaged packaging, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note, take pictures, and—if the item inside shows damages—contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations regarding damaged packaging represents your acceptance of the completed order in perfect condition.

About the Designer

Emil Stejnar

Emil Stejnar is a designer famous for his Space Age era lighting design, however for Stejnar himself, his career in design came second to his passion for all things magic and mystical.

Stejnar was born in Vienna, Austria in 1939 and trained as a gold and silversmith. The study of the stars and the Occult occupied him from an early age, and at the age of 18 he emigrated to Sweden to devote himself to his study. He ran a jewelry workshop during the day, which he continued when he got married and returned to Vienna in 1968. While running his jewelry business, Stejnar was the head of the Institute for Scientific Life Research, and did so for 20 years. He believed that the combination of freemasonry and astrology connected the material to the spiritual world. His hermetic beliefs were published in numerous publications, and Stejnar became well-known in the world of esotericism.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Emil Stejnar designed several pendant lamps, ceiling lights and sconces for the Viennese lighting manufacturer Rupert Nikoll. Starburst forms and delicate glass sprays are hallmarks of Stejnar’s ceiling lights, the most famous (and replicated) being the Sputnik Lamp. Confusingly, the Sputnik is often referred to as the Dandelion (or Pusteblume in German), and also as the Snowball. Contrasting information from various sources means it is difficult to confirm whether they were originally distinct in design to the Sputnik, or whether they emerged simply as nicknames. Nevertheless, the Sputnik, one of the most celebrated (and replicated) ceiling lamps of the 20th century, is immediately recognizable by its radiating glass flowers that create dancing shadows when lit. It inspired a generation of Space Age era designers to create their own futuristic lamps, yet the golden brass stems and intricate glass details, remind us as much of Stejnar’s devotion to the magic of the cosmos as it does to Space Age lighting design.

Stejnar currently lives in Sweden, preferring to remain outside of the public eye.