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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Alf Svensson, modernist pendant lamp, opal glass, Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in Forserum, SE
An eye-catching pendant lamp designed by Alf Svensson for the renowned Swedish lighting manufacturer Bergboms in 1953. This exquisite design features a minimalist aesthetic, with thr...
Steel
Modernist Rotoflex pendant lamp TR-67, Alf Svensson, Bergboms, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngvar Sandström, Bergboms, Alf Svensson
Located in Forserum, SE
A Scandinavian modernist pendant lamp, model TR-67, designed by Alf Svensson and Yngvar Sandström for the Swedish manufacturer Bergbom & Co in the 1960s. It features a softly shaped ...
Brass
Alf Svensson, Pendant Light, Brass, Glass, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white opaline glass pendant light designed by Alf Svensson and produced by Bergboms, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 30.75” H x 15.25” Diameter Dimensio...
Brass
1950s Opaline Glass Pendants by Alf Svensson for Bergboms Belysning
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s Opaline Glass Pendants by Alf Svensson for Bergboms Belysning. Executed in opaline glass with black cloth cord and polished brass ceiling canopy. A lyrical and elegant Scandina...
Brass
ceiling lamp model T-6H by Alf Svensson, Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Bergboms, Alf Svensson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Ceiling lamp model T-6H designed by Alf Svensson. Produced in Sweden by Bergboms during the 1950s. Large lamp shade in blue and white lacquered aluminum with brass details and original opal glass shade. Ceiling cup and counter weight in grey lacquered metal and beech wood. The lamp can be seamlessly heightened or lowered by pulling the counterweight up or down. The top wheel have a restoration (pictured). Good vintage condition with original lacquer. Age related wear and patina. The glass shade has slight hair needle...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Rare Pendant Lamp by Alf Svensson for Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This very good looking set of 3 conical pendant lamps was designed by Alf Svensson for Bergboms in Sweden in the 1950s. It consists of 3 metal shades in red, grey and blue lacquer. T...
Metal
Vintage Scandinavian Ceiling Light, Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1950s
By Bergboms, Alf Svensson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant ceiling lamp with three lamp shades set at different heights, designed by Alf Svensson. Brass ceiling cup, metal shades lacquered red, grey and black. Shades perforated with ...
Metal, Brass
Scandinavian Modern Metal Ceiling Lamp by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1950s
By Bergboms, Alf Svensson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Sleek metal ceiling lamp by Alf Svensson with black lacquered outside and light grey metal inside.
Metal
Ceiling Lamp in Lacquered Metal by Alf Svensson, 1950's
By Alf Svensson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Lacquered Metal by Alf Svensson, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Lacquered metal Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare ceiling lamp model T7 Produced by Ber...
Metal
Ceiling Lamps in Lacquered Metal by Alf Svensson, 1950's
By Alf Svensson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamps in Lacquered Metal by Alf Svensson, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Lacquered metal Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare ceiling lamps model T7 Produced by B...
Metal
Alf Svensson, Wall Light, Brass, Glass, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white opaline glass wall light designed by Alf Svensson and produced by Bergboms, Sweden, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15” H x 6.5” W x 7.5“D Back Plate Dim...
Brass
$2,480
H 28.35 in Dm 25.6 in
Five Arm Brass Chandelier With Pleated Shades, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, 1950s
By Hans Bergström, Bröderna Malmströms Metallvarufabrik, Bergboms, Ateljé Lyktan
Located in Odense, DK
Elegant Swedish Modern chandelier crafted in brass with a teak base, featuring five gracefully curved arms and pleated textile lampshades. The combination of polished brass and the...
Metal, Brass
Wall lamps by Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Bergboms
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Pair of wall lamps attributed to Alf Svensson for Bergboms, produced during the mid-20th century. Made from brass with perforated shades and white lacquered interiors. Adjustable in...
Brass
$3,386
H 59.06 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Alf Svensson G34 Floor Lamp in Teak, Josef Frank Shade, Bergboms, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms, Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in The Hague, NL
This elegant floor lamp was designed by Alf Svensson and produced by Bergboms in Sweden in the 1960s. This three-legged design is numbered G34. The design is marked by the three legged base leading to the central tube, all in solid teak wood with a beautiful grain. A brass stem and the light fitting are mounted on top of the teak wood base. The cylinder shade is a custom design in a beautiful linen Svenskt Tenn fabric...
Brass
$4,087 / set
H 67 in Dm 39 in
Table lamps by Yngvar Sandström and Alf Svensson for Bergboms, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson & Yngve Sandström, Bergboms
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
This pair of table lamps was designed by Yngvar Sandström and Alf Svensson for Bergboms during the 1960s. The lamps feature an elegant base that rises into a slim brass stem, giving ...
Brass
Large Pendant by Bergboms
By Bergboms
Located in Long Island City, NY
Large metal lighting pendant by Bergboms Sweden. Model T-6H. Circa 1950th. Original painted finish and plastic defuser. Stamped with manufacturer name and model number. Some scratch...
Metal
Swedish Modern, Pendant Light, Teak, Brass, Glass, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Pendant Light, Teak, Brass, Glass, Sweden, 1950s A three light pendant light possibly designed by Hand Bergstrom and produced in Sweden in the middle of ...
Brass
$1,868
H 55.12 in Dm 15.36 in
Glass and brass ceiling pendant by Alf Svensson for Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in Hägersten, SE
Ceiling lamp model "T-16" designed by Alf Svensson. produced in Sweden by Bergboms during the 1950s. Thick opaline glass hanging on a brass suspension with three neat brass chains. O...
Metal, Brass
Bergboms, Sweden, 1960s, pendant
By Bergboms
Located in Hammarö, SE
A refined Swedish Mid-Century Modern pendant lamp produced by Bergboms, Sweden, during the 1960s. The lamp features a beautifully spun brass shade with a warm golden patina and elega...
Brass
$3,036 / set
H 26.38 in W 15.36 in D 15.36 in
Pair of table lamps B-024 by Alf Svensson and Yngvar sandström by Bergboms
By Alf Svensson & Yngve Sandström, Bergboms
Located in Genarp, SE
Pair of table lamps B-024 Designed by Alf Svensson and Yngvar Sandström för Bergboms, 1960s. Both lamps have their original lampshades.
Brass
$2,335
H 11.82 in Dm 13.39 in
Swedish Modernist Studded Pendant Lamp in Opaline Glass, Orrefors, 1950s
By Orrefors
Located in The Hague, NL
This sculptural modernist pendant lamp was produced in Orrefors, Sweden in the 1950s. The shade is made of a matte white opaline glass. The three-dimensional studded pattern in the g...
Opal, Brass
Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Pendant, Glass, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Pendant, Glass, Brass, Sweden, 1950s Swedish modern chandelier or pendant designed and produced in Sweden in the ...
Brass
Pendant lamp by Alf Svensson for Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in Forserum, SE
Pendant lamp designed by Alf Svensson for the renowned Swedish manufacturer Bergboms in 1953. This exquisite design features minimalist aesthetics with three clock-shaped opaline gla...
Steel
Sold
H 6.7 in Dm 26.78 in
Swedish Midcentury Chandelier in Brass and Metal by Alf Svensson for Bergboms
By Bergboms, Alf Svensson
Located in Karlstad, SE
Rare chandeliers by Alf Svensson for Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s. This beautiful chandelier consists of a solid brass ring, supporting 10 cone-shaped perforated metal shades, each of th...
Metal, Brass
Opaline Glass Pendant Lamp by Alf Svensson
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Simply elegant pendant lamp by Alf Svensson, made with an opaline glass shade suspended with slender brass chains. A slim brass strap with punched out holes encircles the neck of the...
Brass