Hans-Agne Jakobsson candlestick

This large candlestick, model L-54, was designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson and produced by his own company in Markaryd, Sweden, during the 1950s. A striking example of Scandinavian mid-century decorative arts, the piece exemplifies Jakobsson’s command of rhythm, geometry, and material contrast within a restrained, functional form.

The structure combines solid oak and polished brass, a material pairing frequently used by Jakobsson to achieve both visual warmth and structural definition. The composition is centered around a vertical oak shaft, square in section and crisply finished, which rises from a flat, circular brass base. From this central axis extend six horizontal brass arms arranged in symmetrical, stepped tiers—three to each side—creating a gently ascending pattern that culminates in a single upright arm at the top. Each arm supports a cylindrical candle socket with cleanly machined rims, designed to hold a standard taper candle. In total, the piece accommodates seven candles.

The brass arms, square in profile and evenly spaced, create a rhythmic and architectural silhouette, reminiscent of a stylized tree or abstracted menorah. The interplay between the polished metallic surface and the oiled oak post lends the object both tactile and visual contrast—an essential element in Jakobsson’s design vocabulary. The result is at once sculptural and ceremonial, maintaining a sense of functional clarity while emphasizing formal elegance.

Hans-Agne Jakobsson (1919–2009) is best known for his contributions to Swedish lighting design, but his decorative objects—including candleholders and mirrors—are notable for their architectural simplicity and refined detailing. Trained as a cabinetmaker before turning to industrial design, Jakobsson’s work often explored repetition, symmetry, and light interaction, even in non-electrified objects such as this. The L-54 candlestick is a particularly expressive example of his ability to bring modernist discipline to traditional domestic typologies.

The dimensions of the candlestick are 56 cm in width, 15.5 cm in depth, and 30 cm in height (approximately 22 x 6.1 x 11.8 inches). It remains in very good vintage condition, with light surface wear and patina to the brass components, and a clean, well-preserved finish to the oak central post. As a decorative object, the L-54 exemplifies Jakobsson’s sculptural restraint and his sensitivity to proportion and materials, representing a refined extension of his mid-century design legacy beyond lighting.