Carl Fagerlund ceiling lamp

This very rare ceiling lamp, designed by Carl Fagerlund and produced by Orrefors in Sweden during the 1960s, is a quintessential expression of Scandinavian modernism’s commitment to material integrity, refined form, and poetic use of light. Fagerlund, best known for his masterful lighting designs in glass, brings together transparency, texture, and subtle metallic accents in this piece, creating a fixture that functions as both illumination and sculptural ornament.

At the center of the lamp is its ribbed and scalloped glass shade—an exquisite example of the textural glasswork for which Orrefors became world-renowned. The glass has a slightly frosted appearance, achieved through a delicate balance of translucency and patterning. When illuminated, it diffuses light evenly and gently, casting soft shadows and subtle reflections that enhance the architectural rhythm of the ceiling. The scalloped design is both decorative and functional, breaking up the light while echoing natural forms like flower petals or waves—a nod to the organic sensibilities often found in Nordic design.

The shade is anchored by a warm brass stem and matching finial, which introduces a quiet metallic luster and adds contrast to the cooler tones of the glass. The brass is minimally adorned, retaining clean lines and a cylindrical simplicity that frames rather than competes with the glasswork. A perforated brass detail at the canopy provides both ventilation and an additional visual accent, tying the elements together with elegant continuity.

Fagerlund’s ability to use glass not just as a decorative surface but as an active medium for light places him among the foremost Scandinavian lighting designers of the 20th century. His work for Orrefors is marked by restraint, balance, and a deep understanding of how light interacts with form and texture. In this lamp, these qualities are manifest in the interplay between the structured glass shade and the warm brass components.

Orrefors, founded in 1898, has long been a standard-bearer for Swedish glass design, especially during the mid-century period when collaborations with designers like Fagerlund elevated its lighting division. Each piece produced by the firm is notable for its craftsmanship and attention to visual harmony, and this lamp is no exception.

The lamp remains in excellent vintage condition, with the glass free of cracks or significant blemishes, and the brass showing only light patina consistent with age. The structural integrity is fully intact, and the original elements appear to have been well preserved.