Rupert Nikoll Sputnik Flowers Chandelier

Materials: Brass rod and white painted brass frame. Conical brass canopy. Clear crystal glass flowers and beads globe. 13 white painted Bakelite E14 sockets.

Rod Length: 100 cm / 39.37’’

Height: 60 cm / 23.62”

Width: ∅ 60 cm / 23.62”

Electricity: 13 bulbs E14, 13 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred. 

Period: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: Rupert Nikoll in the 1950s.

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

Other versions: This Rupert Nikoll sputnik flowers chandelier was made in several variations and sizes. Also made in chromed metal and as a flush mount. Also wall lamps exists.

This lamp is often named: Pusteblume (German) or Dandelion flower (dandelion – taraxacum officinale). Others say Snowball or Fountain chandelier. 

It is always said that Emil Stejnar designed these lamps. But in the 1962 German book: Lampen Und Leuchten, Ein Internationaler Formenquerschnitt (Lamps and lights, an international cross-section of shapes), page 183, written by Gerhard Krohn is printed: Rossettenleuchter: Type und Design: Nikoll. Gerhard Krohn has written several books at that time about lighting. Among others his famous book Formschöne Lampen und Beleuchtungsanlagen (Elegant lamps and lighting equipment). All published by Callwey from München.

Today (2021) Wikipedia says the opposite. I tend to think the book is correct.

In the USA these lamps were sold by the A.W. Pistol, Inc company from Stamford, Connecticut. They appear (at least) in the 1964 catalogue.

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 Rupert Nikoll. He is also from Austria. According to Wikipedia he designed numerous chandeliers, wall lamps, flush mounts and mirrors. All designed in the beginning of the 50s. They were all decorated with crystal glass flowers. In 1957, goldsmith and silversmith Stejnar moved to Sweden. He married and returned to Austria in 1968. His designs were produced for decades.

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 lampshades. You can find a beautiful example here on Vintageinfo.