Swedish designer-siblings Uno Kristiansson and Östen Kristiansson are best known to collectors of vintage furniture for their imaginative lighting and mirrors. As partners, Uno & Östen Kristiansson united high-quality, practical Scandinavian modern design with fresh innovation.
Uno and Östen Kristiansson were born in southern Sweden. Their father was a furniture maker who owned a workshop — Vittsjo — that was named for the village in which it was located. In 1950, Uno opened his workshop in the same village. He called his company Luxus and brought his younger brother Östen on board as a designer and builder.
Like lots of designers of the era, the Kristianssons favored traditional teak wood but also employed more forward-looking materials such as glass, acrylic, leather and plastic. While their work spoke to the organic forms and craftsmanship that is typical of many Scandinavian modern designers, the brothers created minimalist oak mirrors and shapely pine wall lights — which often featured an integration of rattan — that set them apart from other artisans in their field.
Around 1966, Östen took over their father’s workshop and renamed it Östen Kristiansson AB. He eventually returned the company’s name to Vittsjo.
After 1970, Uno and Östen Kristiansson focused primarily on lamps and mirrors. They designed most of these works in acrylic, and wood became more of a secondary material in their composition. Collectors and interior designers continue to prize the many inventive furnishings they produced.
Find vintage Uno & Östen Kristiansson table lamps, wall lights and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Uno & Östen Kristiansson pendant lamp Made by Luxus Vittsjö, Sweden 1957
By Luxus Vittsjö, Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in München, DE
Beautiful, very rare long pendant lamp made of teak and opal glass, designed in 1957 by Uno & Östen Kristiansson. Manufactured by Luxus Vittsjö, Sweden. Great minimalist Scandinavian...
Glass, Teak
Pendant lamp with glass shades and a teak frame by Uno & Östen Kristiansson
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus Vittsjö
Located in München, DE
Beautiful pendant lamp with three shades, designed in 1957 by Uno & Östen Kristiansson. Manufactured by Luxus Vittsjö, Sweden. With original label. Shades are made of white opal glas...
Opaline Glass, Teak
Beautiful original large 1960s Heifetz Rotaflex pendant lamp
By Heifetz Rotaflex
Located in München, DE
Beautiful large original 1960s beige Heifetz Rotaflex pendant lamp. Excellent glare-free light for any living space. Original E27 socket. Very good vintage condition with no damage. ...
Plastic
Aloys Gangkofner Mid Century Glass Pendant Lamp Model Bologna by Peill & Putzler
By Aloys F. Gangkofner, Peill & Putzler
Located in München, DE
Very high quality rare beautiful Aloys Gangkofner Mid Century large glass pendant lamp model Bologna by Peill & Putzler. Very nice minimalistic 1950s design. Shade made of thick mat...
Glass
Beautiful original large 1960s Heifetz Rotaflex pendant lamp in drop shape
By Heifetz Rotaflex
Located in München, DE
Beautiful original 1960s Heifetz Rotaflex pendant lamp in a drop shape in the colors beige and yellow. Great glare-free light for all living spaces. Very good original condition with...
Plastic
Beautiful original large 1960s Heifetz Rotaflex pendant lamp in a drop shape
By Heifetz Rotaflex
Located in München, DE
Beautiful original large 1960s beige Heifetz Rotaflex pendant lamp in a teardrop shape. Great glare-free light for all living spaces. Very good original condition with no damage. 100...
Plastic
Uno & Östen Kristiansson pendant lamp 546 Baton by Luxus, Vittsjö, Sweden, 1960s
By Luxus Vittsjö, Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in Forserum, SE
Large drop-shaped pendant lamp, model 546 ‘Baton’, designed by the Swedish brothers Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus in Vittsjö. It features an elongated opaline glass shade and a ...
Glass, Teak
Elegant Pendant Lamp Drop by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus Vittsjö Sweden
By Luxus Vittsjö, Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in München, BY
Exceptional and elegant Mid Century Modern pendant lamp 'Drop' with two opaline shades in form of water drops and teak elements. Designed by Uno & Östen Kristiansson, 1957 for Luxus,...
Opaline Glass, Teak
Uno & Östen Kristiansson Model 546 Pendant Lamp for Luxus, Sweden, 1960s
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Elegant Scandinavian pendant lamp, model 546, designed by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus, Vittsjö, Sweden, circa 1960s. The pendant features a beautifully elongated, tapering sh...
Opaline Glass, Wood
Swedish Drop Pendant Lamp by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus, 1950s
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in Oirlo, LI
Swedish drop pendant lamp by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus, 1950s Beautiful hanging lamp, the design is by Uno & Osten Kristiansson and made by Luxus Vittsjo. In Sweden in the 50's. Made from a teak fitting with a special recognizable crescent notch. The hanging lamp is made of opaline glass, the lights are included because it is a bayonet fitting. Single lamp size: height 66cm, width 10cm, depth 10cm. Uno & Östen Kristiansson The Swedish designers and brothers Uno & Östen Kristiansson, known for their lighting and mirror designs, were particularly active in Sweden from the 1950s to the 1970s. They were prolific designers with a clear design aesthetic that is easily recognizable as Scandinavian modern. While there is a lack of biographical information about the couple available, their designs are nevertheless prized by vintage aficionados and are highly sought after in the vintage market today. Uno was born in 1925 and Östen two years later in 1927. Little is known about their formative years, but it can be assumed that they spent their early years in southern Sweden, where they learned the furniture trade from their father, who own furniture store. , Vittsjö Furniture (established 1919), named after the Swedish village in which it was located. In 1950, Uno Kristiansson founded his own production company, Luxus, which was also located in Vittsjö. He produced a range of products, including home and interior lamps, furniture and mirrors, which were designed by the two brothers. In the 1950s, the collections were launched nationally in Sweden and internationally throughout Europe. In 1968 Luxus presented a collection of lamps with brightly colored textile...
Milk Glass, Opaline Glass, Teak
Mid Century Pendant Light by Uno and Osten Kristiansson for Luxus Sweden c 1960s
By Luxus of Sweden, Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century frosted glass and teak pendant designed by Uno & Osten Kristiansson for Luxus of Sweden, circa 1960's. This is a rare form, with the glass shade having two bulbous gourd ...
Glass, Teak
Vintage Ceiling Lamp by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus, 1950s Sweden
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus Vittsjö
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Three E27 socket. Works with 220V and 110V. Our lamps are checked, cleaned and are suitable for use in the USA. Bulbs are not included. It is possible to install this device in al...
Metal, Brass
