Rupert Nikoll Table Lamp

Materials: 3 brass rods (tripod). Brass socket holder, Bakelite E14 socket. Conical fabric lampshade decorated with real, possible Alpine flowers. Celluloid cover on the inside.

Height: 30 cm / 19.68”

Lampshade: ∅ 20 cm / 9.84”

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 – 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 table lamp exists with several different lampshades because they are all unique. These conical lampshades were used for several other table or bedside lamps.

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, which has some similarities with this table lamp. Also 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.