Anders Pehrson candlestick

The Ofir Octav floor candlestick, designed in 1967 by Anders Pehrson and produced by Ateljé Lyktan in Åhus, Sweden, is a rare and sculptural example of late mid-century Swedish design. Combining elements of both liturgical and modernist visual language, the piece functions as both a practical light-bearing object and an architectural presence in the room. It reflects Pehrson’s interest in uniting industrially produced forms with warmth, rhythm, and formal clarity.

The design is composed of white-lacquered metal tubing forming a symmetrical eight-arm structure branching out from a vertical central axis. The arms are organized across two levels, creating a double-tiered composition that evenly distributes the eight brass candleholders. Each holder supports a clear, bulbous glass chimney that enhances the verticality of the silhouette while softly diffusing the flame’s light. A brass loop finial at the top serves as both a visual anchor and a functional handle, echoing ecclesiastical candlesticks and reinforcing the piece’s sculptural intent.

The visual language of the Ofir Octav balances geometric order with softened contours. The linearity of the metal frame contrasts with the rounded forms of the glass chimneys and the warm tones of the brass elements. This restrained material palette—white lacquer, polished brass, and clear glass—contributes to a sense of cohesion and refinement, characteristic of Anders Pehrson’s designs for Ateljé Lyktan during his leadership in the 1960s and 1970s.

Pehrson, who succeeded Ateljé Lyktan founder Hans Bergström, played a critical role in the company’s shift toward more systematized, yet expressive, lighting forms. The Ofir Octav exemplifies this approach, merging Scandinavian minimalism with historical references, resulting in an object that feels both modern and ceremonial.

This model is a relatively uncommon example within Pehrson’s broader body of work, most known for lighting design, and stands out for its typological fusion—part candelabrum, part floor sculpture. It aligns with a late 1960s design sensibility that sought to abstract traditional forms into modern contexts while maintaining a sense of material richness and ritualistic function.

The dimensions are 42 cm in diameter and 78 cm in height (approximately 16.5 x 30.7 inches). The piece is in good vintage condition, with minor wear and patina to the lacquer and brass surfaces, consistent with age and original use. It remains a distinctive and rare work from one of Sweden’s key postwar designers, illustrating the intersection of utility, tradition, and abstraction.