Rupert Nikoll Desk Lamp

Materials: Curved brass legs tripod base with a wall hook. Conical aluminium perforated lampshade with 3 rings of round holes. Bakelite E14 socket.

Height: 22 cm / 8.66”

Lampshade: ∅ 12 cm / 4.72”

Base: 15 cm / 5.91”

Electricity: 1 bulb E14, 1 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used. Not a specific one preferred.

Period: 1950s, 1960s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: Rupert Nikoll – attributed.

Manufacturer: Beleuchtungskörperfabrik und Beleuchtungsglashütten (lighting equipment factory and lighting glassworks) Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria – attributed.

Other versions: This Rupert Nikoll desk lamp exists in several colours: vanilla, red, bluegreen, blue, green… This lamp is designed for use as a wall lamp or table lamp, hence the hook. Also a version with another joint was made, and with a single row of holes on top. You can find it over here.

Rupert Nikoll

Little is known about the Rupert Nikoll factory. The company was founded in 1908 and ended business in 1986. In 1966 the company moved to Ober-Grafendorf some 70 km / 43.5 miles from Vienna. Rupert Nikoll also had a branch in Munich, Germany since 1958.

Emil Stejnar (born 1931) is the most famous designer that worked for the company. He is also from Austria.  He designed numerous wall and ceiling lights and mirrors decorated with crystal glass flowers in the beginning of the 1950’s. In 1957, goldsmith and silversmith Stejnar moved to Sweden. He married and returned to Austria in 1968.

Rupert Nikoll is also known for the “Sumatra” floor lamp. Made in brass with an organic lampshade. Several lamps were produced with lampshades in this form together with organic materials such as flowers, grasses and cane. Few are left and many have disappeared due to the fragility of the lampshade. You can find a beautiful example here on Vintageinfo.