Special Edition Hans-Agne Jakobsson Chandelier in Brushed Aluminum

Hans-Agne Jakobsson, chandelier, brushed aluminum, brass, glass, Sweden, 1960s

Departing from its unusual use of brushed aluminum, Hans-Agne Jakobsson created a chandelier that sets itself apart within his oeuvre, as most of his chandeliers were executed in brass. The design consists of six cylindrical shades arranged symmetrically around a central brass stem, creating a balanced and architectural composition. The brushed aluminum cylinders contrast with the warm brass structure, while the glass diffusers beneath each shade soften the light and reduce glare. Rather than exposing the light source, Jakobsson conceals it within the cylinders, producing a warm and evenly distributed 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.