Erik Höglund candelabra

This hanging candelabra, conceived in the 1950s by Erik Höglund and produced by Boda Glasbruk in Sweden, presents a striking fusion of raw wrought iron and vibrant glass ornamentation. The main structure is formed from blackened iron, shaped into a central vertical stem from which eight squared arms radiate in a gentle U-shape. The hand-forged iron displays subtle irregularities—slight hammer marks and variations in thickness—that attest to its artisanal manufacture and lend the piece a robust, tactile presence.

Each arm terminates in a composite cluster of cobalt blue beads and clear pressed-glass discs, secured by slender iron wire. The cobalt elements glint with a deep, saturated hue, while the translucent medallions reveal Höglund’s characteristic naïve motifs—animals, abstract symbols and playful figurative scenes—molded into their surfaces. These glass embellishments not only add color but also introduce layered texture and visual complexity, catching and refracting candlelight in delicate patterns.

Suspended by a matching wrought-iron chain, the candelabra soars 120 cm from hook to base and spans 47 cm in diameter. Its vertical composition is further animated by a large teardrop-shaped blue vessel near the top and a central clear glass bulb, which balance the lower clusters and reinforce the piece’s sculptural rhythm. Despite more than six decades of age, the iron retains its structural integrity, bearing a gentle patina of rust-tones in crevices while the glass elements remain intact, save for minor irregularities and tiny air bubbles that underscore their hand-pressed origin.

Erik Höglund (1932–1998) was instrumental in introducing an expressive, craft-centered aesthetic to Swedish glass art. His tenure at Boda Glasbruk saw him break from the prevailing restraint of Scandinavian design, infusing utilitarian objects with symbolic imagery and vibrant color contrasts. Boda Glasbruk, a leading glassworks in mid-century Sweden, championed such experimentation, pairing seasoned craftsmen with visionary designers to push the boundaries of form and technique.

This candelabra exemplifies the marriage of industrial materials and artisanal processes that defined Höglund’s work. Its sculptural form, rhythmic repetition and interplay of opaque and transparent surfaces make it both a functional lighting fixture and a statement piece within the history of Scandinavian mid-century craft. The overall condition is very good, preserving the original finish and components, and offering a rare glimpse into the experimental spirit of 1950s Swedish decorative arts.