Josef Frank candlestick

This candlestick, titled “The Knot of Friendship” was designed by Austrian-born architect and designer Josef Frank in 1938 and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden. Fabricated in solid brass, the piece is a sculptural three-armed candleholder characterized by its flowing, looping form that interweaves into a central knot motif. The structure is based on a continuous ribbon of bent brass tubing, each arm curving outward and upward to terminate in a cylindrical candleholder with integrated bobeche-style drip catchers. The candleholder is supported by three symmetrically positioned legs, each part of the same continuous brass line that loops back into the form, creating a sense of organic unity and formal balance.

The brass has aged to a deep golden patina, with minor surface wear consistent with age and careful use, placing it in excellent vintage condition. The design is emblematic of Frank’s humanistic approach to modernism, often incorporating natural forms, whimsical motifs, and a resistance to the strict functionalism associated with contemporaneous design movements. Frank’s collaboration with Estrid Ericson and Svenskt Tenn helped define Swedish modernism with a softer, more decorative character during the mid-20th century.

Svenskt Tenn, founded in 1924, became a key platform for Frank’s design philosophy when he joined the company in 1934. The firm is renowned for its high-quality production and its role in shaping Scandinavian interior aesthetics throughout the 20th century.

The dimensions of the piece are approximately 24 cm in diameter and 15 cm in height, which converts to approximately 9.45 inches in diameter and 5.91 inches in height.