Edward F. Caldwell & Co. was among America’s preeminent lighting manufacturers of the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries, illuminating the halls and ceilings of some of the most notable buildings in the United States. In addition to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the White House in Washington, D.C., the company’s masterful light fixtures also adorn the homes of some historically prominent figures, such as J.P. Morgan and Phillip Lehman.
The firm was founded in 1895 by American Edward F. Caldwell and Victor F. von Lossberg, a Latvia native who was raised in Russia. The founders became acquainted while working at Archer & Pancoast Manufacturing Company of New York, which produced gas lighting fixtures.
In 1901 Edward F. Caldwell & Co. opened a foundry, where the owners and the lighting artisans they recruited could explore a range of metalworking techniques and design styles. Caldwell and von Lossberg quickly rose to the top of the electric light manufacturing business with their shared vision, choosing to deliver quality elegant fixtures that frequently drew on historic European designs. The firm produced magnificent lighting pieces, as well as finely crafted decorative objects and mirrors. Their neoclassical designs borrowed heavily from Baroque and Rococo styles — Edward F. Caldwell & Co. also devised Art Deco fixtures during the 1920s — and favored bronze, silver, iron, copper and brass as their primary materials.
With construction on the rise in New York in the early 1900s, not many outfits could take on large-scale lighting contracts. With over 1,000 employees, Edward F. Caldwell & Co. could take on heavy commissions.
After Caldwell died in 1914, von Lossberg carried the company until he died in 1942. Edward F. Caldwell & Co. closed its doors owing to financial troubles in 1959.
Today manufacturer’s work can be seen all across New York City — including at the Bank of Manhattan and the famous Waldorf Astoria hotel — and Edward F. Caldwell & Co. creations are highly sought after by lighting and decor enthusiasts.
On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Edward F. Caldwell & Co. table lamps, chandeliers and pendants, sconces and floor lamps.
Large Gilt and Silvered Bronze Jewel Box/Casket
Located in Norwood, NJ
French 19th century large gilt and silvered bronze table box. Finely cast Renaissance Revival gilt and silvered bronze jewelry box with tufted velvet interior lining. Four corners wi...
Bronze
English 19th century Gilt Metal and Velvet box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding English 19th century Gilt Metal and Velvet box. This wonderfully decorative box is raised by a flat base decorated with swaging foliate garlands leading to the body di...
Ormolu
Chinese Red Lacquered Box With Brass Mounts, Mid 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship. 20 wide 14 deep ...
Brass
$260,000
H 6.75 in W 17.5 in D 12.25 in
19th C. Gold, Damascene, Etched Steel Casket Box/Safe with Noble Coat of Arms
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible 19th Century Royal Casket Box/Safe with Coat of Arms, Made of Gold, Damascene, and Etched Steel. Charles Le Hon, a Belgian politician, lawyer and industrialist, served...
Gold, Steel
19th Century Russian Gilt Iron-Bound Box with Original Key
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare early 19th century Russian iron-bound box decorated with gilt metal 'Frost' pattern. The beautiful gold panels meant to mimic frost on glass. Retai...
Wrought Iron
$1,375
H 14 in W 31.5 in D 20 in
Red Lacquer Blanket Chest with Gilt Lions, Floral Motifs, and Storage
Located in Yonkers, NY
This red lacquered blanket chest stands out with its vibrant finish and intricate gilt decoration. The rectangular lid is richly adorned with floral motifs and rosettes, opening via ...
Iron
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 5.5 in D 3.5 in
Late 19th Century, Bohemian Cranberry Overlay & Gilt Bronze Hinged Casket Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 19th Century, Bohemian Cranberry Overlay & Gilt Bronze Hinged Casket Box A richly ornamented Bohemian casket box, dating to the latter half of the 19th century, of ovoid rectan...
Bronze
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 12.25 in D 9.65 in
Renaissance Style Gilt Rectangular Casket , Jewelry, Desk and /or Decorative Box
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Renaissance style gilt bronze rectangular casket lidded box. It depicts embossed decoration of scrolls of acanthus leaves, birds flowers and hearts around the whole box. In the center of the lid, there is a “cameo” or relief of the profile of a gentleman with a beard. Inside, the box is covered with purple velvet fabric in the lid. It is divided in different sizes and shapes of compartments with glass tray and two inkwell bottles...
Bronze
$4,000 / item
H 19 in W 24 in D 17 in
Italian, Baroque Revival, Velvet Upholstered Large Footed Box, ca. 1875
Located in Atlanta, GA
upholstered in original velvet and metallic trim, square in shape with a slanted hinged top, the interior also upholstered, raised on elaborately carved lions paw feet
Velvet
1950s Italian Leather and Velvet Jewelry Box with Gold Accents
Located in Marbella, ES
An elegant Italian jewelry box crafted from genuine calf leather, made in Italy and featuring a refined domed silhouette. The exterior, finished in a deep burgundy hue, is adorned wi...
Gold Leaf
A Rare French Cigar Humidor by Charles Guillame Diehl and Jean Brandley
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Rare Wood and Silvered Bronze French Cigar Humidor by Charles Guillaume Diehl and Jean Brandely, C. 1860, Paris This extraordinary cigar humidor, crafted by the esteemed French ...
Bronze
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Red Enamel Silver Wire Kogo Box
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese silver wire enamel Kogo box for incense. Early Meiji period. The oval shaped box is covered with polychrome medallions representing a pair of Phoenix birds and fl...
Enamel
Russian Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Console Table Cupboard, circa 1825
Located in Long Island City, NY
A French empire ormolu-mounted mahogany console table cupboard, Circa 1825. With a white marble top and mirrored glass back. Very nice quality and delicate French bronze mounts. ...
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry and Parquetry Commode
Located in Long Island City, NY
A very fine French 19th century finely chased ormolu-mounted kingwood, tulipwood, and satinwood marquetry and parquetry commode with original Breche Violette marble-top. With three l...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Louis XV Style Gilt Mounted Kingwood Pedestal Vitrine Cabinet, circa 1880
Located in Long Island City, NY
A French Louis XV Style gilt metal mounted Kingwood edestal vitrine cabinet, circa 1880. Very nice quality, very rare, unusual form. Pedestal and vitrine with glass shelves and re...
Kingwood
Exquisite French Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Parquetry Marble-Top Commode C. 1870
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exquisite French Ormolu-mounted mahogany parquetry marble-top commode C. 1870. A very nice quality commode with french bronze mounts, and exquisite quality parquetry throughout...
Marble, Ormolu
