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.
Emil Stejnar Twelve Arms Brass and Crystal, 1950s Pendant
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original early Viennese chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll from the 1950s. Made of brass, red lacquered metal and hand cut crystals. Excellent condition. It takes twelve sm...
Crystal, Brass, Metal
Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in bruxelles, BE
Brass and glass chandelier by Emil Stejnar. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Brass
Silver Glass Flushmount Light by Emil Stejnar for H. Richter, 1950’s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Hastings, GB
Emil Stejnar (Austria) sunburst flushmount light, designed for the H. Richter company 1950’s. Very elegant rare silver backed flushmount wit...
Metal
Flower Sputnik Chandelier by Emile Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
1950s 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 original good condition.
Brass
One of Three Emil Stejnar Pendant Lights Chandeliers, Brass Glass, Austria 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of three outstanding Viennese sputnik / blow ball / snowball chandeliers / pendant lights by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Silver Glass Flushmount Light by Emil Stejnar for H. Richter, 1950’s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Hastings, GB
Emil Stejnar (Austria) sunburst flushmount light, designed for the H. Richter company 1950’s. Very elegant rare silver backed flushmount with hundreds of individual small glass reve...
Metal
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
$2,400
Emil Stejnar Pendant
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant petite pendant by Emil Stejnar. 12" diameter globe. Brass frame with crystal globes and stars. Perfect for an entryway, bathroom, hallway or closet. Overall height will be ad...
Brass
$6,312Sale Price|20% Off
Emil Stejnar Dandelion Floor Lamp, Sputnik Snowball Floor Lamp for Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular Sputnik floor lamp looks like a flowers explosion.It features a multitude of brass rods ending with bulbs or clear crystal flowers. E...
Brass
Emil Stejnar Snowflake Chandelier, Sputnik Snowball Chandelier for Nikoll 60 cm
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. Each rod is directly fixed on its...
Brass
Emil Stejnar Snowflake Chandelier, Sputnik Snowball Chandelier for Nikoll 50 cm
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. Each rod is directly fixed on its...
Brass
Starburst Brass Chandelier by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Aachen, NRW
Beautiful large starburst brass chandelier with hundreds of crystals designed by Emil Stejnar for Nikoll, manufactured in Austria, circa 196...
Crystal, Brass
$4,400Sale Price / item|48% Off
H 24 in Dm 24 in
Emil Stejnar Brass Glass Chandeliers Refurbished Lamps, Austria 1950
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
1 out of 2 fully refurbished 24" ball lights by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria circa 1955- sold and priced per piece Gorgeous set of 2 sparkling starburst chandeliers in the original iconic design that has been featured worldwide, often copied but never reached. Emil Stejnar designed these for a cafe in Vienna but due to the success they were produced in larger numbers and subsequently used for homes as well. The originals show the typical brass structure with white cages and diamond crystals. The bulb sockets are white as well (There are many copies and facsimiles out there that are fully brass colored only and are made from iron). The big lights...
Brass
$2,999Sale Price / item|37% Off
H 25 in Dm 17.75 in
Emil Stejnar Starburst Brass Glass Chandeliers, Refurbished 1950
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
1 out of 2 fully refurbished 18" ball lights by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria circa 1955- sold per piece Gorgeous set of 2 sparkling chandeliers in the original iconic des...
Brass
Large White Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking chandelier was designed by Emil Stejnar for the renowned Vienna-based lighting manufacturer Rupert Nikoll in the 1960s. Stejnar is celebrated for his poetic and celesti...
Metal
Small White Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking small chandelier was designed by Emil Stejnar for the renowned Vienna-based lighting manufacturer Rupert Nikoll in the 1960s. Stejnar is celebrated for his poetic and c...
Metal
Large White Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking chandelier was designed by Emil Stejnar for the renowned Vienna-based lighting manufacturer Rupert Nikoll in the 1960s. Stejnar is celebrated for his poetic and celesti...
Metal
Emil Stejnar Starburst Chandelier Lamp Brass Glass Gold, Austria, 1970
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Emil Stejnar snowflake blowball chandelier for Rupert Nikoll, circa 1970, featuring a 23" sphere of dandelions and twenty-five bulbs per lamp. Exclusive 24-carat gold-plated model. T...
Gold, Brass
$3,950 / set
H 3.55 in Dm 12.41 in
Set of 2 Emil Stejnar Style Flush Mount & Wall Sconces Floral Glass & Brass 1950
By H. Richter, Emil Stejnar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant pair of flush mount ceiling lights or wall sconces with small glass flowers on a brass frame in the manner of Emil Stejnar. Gem from the time. With this light you make a clea...
Crystal, Brass
$1,508Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.04 in Dm 17.72 in
Chandelier Snowball Sputnik by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hamburg, DE
This 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...
Crystal, Brass
Lager Chandeliers by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare pendant lamp, steel lacquered with glass blossoms and pearls. Designed in the 1950s in Vienna by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. Fitted with four E27 up to 100W sockets. On requ...
Steel
$2,290
H 24.81 in Dm 21.66 in
Pyra Chandelier Crystal & Brass by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Austria 1950
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant Pyra chandelier constructed of brass with cream colored painted florets and socket covers accented with crystal flowers and beads. This beautiful polished brass chandelier which has a beautiful patina supports clusters of dandelions that are illuminated by 6 light sources to make this a truly Stunning chandelier. Emil Stejnar designed this chandelier in 1955 for the Vienna Cafe "Ohne Pause Espresso" at Graben. "Der Graben" is one of the most famous streets in Viennas first district, the city center. In 1939 Emil Stejnar was trained as a gold- and silversmith in his hometown Vienna. In his lighting designs this background clearly shows in his attention to ornament and his keen eye for detail. This spectacular pendant lamp evokes associations with both nature and science. Designed by Emil Stejnar for Rubert Nikoll...
Crystal, Brass, Enamel
$2,500 / item
H 19.69 in Dm 16.15 in
Flush Mount Ceiling Chandeliers by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel lacquered with glass blossoms and pearls. Designed in the 1950s in Vienna by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. Fitted with three E27 sockets. On request shorter or longer rod. Tw...
Steel
Emil Stejnar Snowflake Chandelier, 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
Sold
H 31.5 in Dm 23.63 in
Snow Ball Sputnik Striking Pair of Midcentury Chandelier by Emil Stejnar, 1955
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of huge snowball chandelier by Emil Stejnar manufacture Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, 1950. Each with thirty one light bulbs which when illuminated create a stunning light effect. Comp...
Metal
Vintage Emil Stejnar Ceiling Lamp for Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Oirlo, LI
Beautiful ceiling lamp by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. The lamp was made around the 1950s in Austria. This Vienna sconce, white metal ceiling lamp was designed by Emil Stejnar....
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Large Gold Glass Flushmount Light by Emil Stejnar for H. Richter 1950’s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Hastings, GB
Emil Stejnar (Austria) sunburst flushmount light, designed for the H. Richter company 1950’s. Very elegant large flushmount with hundreds of...
Metal
Gold Glass Flushmount Light by Emil Stejnar for H. Richter 1950’s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Hastings, GB
Emil Stejnar (Austria) sunburst flushmount light, designed for the H. Richter company 1950’s. Very elegant gold backed flushmount with hun...
Metal
Fabulous Glass Flushmount Light by Emil Stejnar for H. Richter 1950’s
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Hastings, GB
Emil Stejnar (Austria) sunburst flush mount light, designed for the H. Richter company 1950’s. Very elegant large flush mount with hundreds of individual small glass reverse cut flowers on a brass frame, with a central cut glass cup...
Crystal
Emil Stejnar Snowflake Brass and Crystal Chandelier / Pendent Light Fixture
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Kansas City, MO
"Snowflake" chandelier in brass and crystal. Starburst, Sputnik style. Brass elements show patina, a few wire elements might be slightly bent and missing very few glass pieces. None ...
Brass
Midcentury Modern Glass, Chrome and Fuschia Enamel Chandelier by Rupert Nikoll
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in New York, NY
This brilliant and exuberant Mid-Century Modern Sputnik was realized by the fabled Austrian designer Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, circa 1960. It features an abundance of polished ...
Crystal, Enamel, Chrome
Sold
H 23.6 in Dm 27.6 in
Midcentury Emil Stejnar 8-Arm Snowflake Chandelier, Rupert Nikoll, 1950, Austria
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful midcentury chandelier designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll in 1950s. It's featuring crystal floral and snowflake elements with polished brass hardware. Many objects t...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in Dm 13.78 in
Emil Stejnar Brass and Glass Starburst Ceiling Fixture, Sconce, 1950s Austria
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
Emil Stejnar sputnik flush mount or sconce made in brass and fully covered with crystal flowers and stars in excellent condition for R...
Brass
Sputnik Glass Flower Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Antwerp, BE
Glass and brass chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950s extra small version of a sputnik chandelier with molded glass flowers and stars. Due to its compactness and small...
Brass
Rupert Nikoll for Emil Stejnar Snowball Sputnik Chandelier, 1950s Vienna
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very rare Sputnik chandelier designed by Emil Stejnar, circa 1955 and executed by Rupert Nikoll, Vienna.
Brass