Hans-Agne Jakobsson ‘Pastoral’ Chandelier in Brass with Glass Spheres

Hans-Agne Jakobsson for Hans-Agne Jakobsson AB in Markaryd, chandelier, model 'T-348/15', brass, glass, Sweden, 1960s

The structure is anchored by a central vertical brass rod, from which radiate a series of horizontal arms in a staggered, cross-like configuration. Each arm terminates in a socket supporting a perfectly spherical glass globe, giving the whole fixture a strong sense of symmetry without being overly rigid. The repetition of identical, mouth-blown glass spheres, fifteen in total - forms a kind of luminous cluster.

There’s a tension between heaviness and airiness in the design: the brass components suggest solidity and structure, while the transparent globes allow light to diffuse softly, softening the overall volume. The globes are slightly tinted, giving them a warm, amber tone that enhances the glow of the bulbs inside and echoes mid-century ideas about atmosphere and ambient lighting rather than direct illumination.

The Swedish interior and furniture designer Hans-Agne Jakobsson (1919-2009) was born in Hvadhem, a small village located in the province Gotland, Sweden, in 1919. Jakobsson obtained an apprenticeship as a carpenter before completing an architectural study in Gothenburg. He made his entrance as an industrial designer at General Motors and subsequently started assisting furniture designers Carl Malmsten (1888-1972) and Werner West (1890-1959). In 1951, he established his own company ‘Hans-Agne Jakobsson AB’ in Markaryd, Sweden. He worked during the Golden Age of Scandinavian design and his oeuvre ranged from furniture, lighting, and various everyday objects. Jakobsson is best remembered for his softly glowing, glare-free lighting fixtures, which were inspired by the "organic modern" approaches of Danish lighting master Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) and Finnish icon Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). Jakobsson created a diversity of pendants, floor lamps, wall lamps, and table lamps that showcase a penchant for diverse materials and forms, as well as a deep understanding of lighting effects. Throughout his career, Jakobsson carried out commissions for private homes as well as public buildings. In 2009, Hans-Agne Jakobsson passed away in Markaryd, leaving a long-lasting mark in the field of lighting design.