Carl-Axel Acking wall lamps

This rare pair of wall lamps was designed by Swedish architect and designer Carl-Axel Acking and produced in Sweden during the 1960s. Exemplifying Scandinavian mid-century modernism, the lamps explore architectural geometry and light diffusion through a precise, sculptural arrangement of brass panels. Each lamp consists of a vertically stacked composition of parallel and perpendicular brass blades, forming a three-dimensional matrix that interacts with both light and shadow.

The lamps are constructed entirely of solid brass, finished in a polished surface that has developed a natural patina. When lit, the light source—recessed within the core—projects outward through the interstices between the brass panels. This configuration results in a dramatic play of light, with elongated shadows and radiant bands of illumination cast onto the wall surface, producing a layered and ambient lighting effect.

Each fixture measures 20 centimeters in width (7.9 inches), 17 centimeters in depth (6.7 inches), and 24.5 centimeters in height (9.6 inches). They are in excellent condition, with minor surface aging and oxidation consistent with the material and age, enhancing their textural richness without compromising structural integrity.

Carl-Axel Acking (1910–2001) was one of Sweden’s leading architects and designers of the postwar period, known for his rational modernist language tempered by an interest in material expression. His architectural background is evident in these lamps, which function as both lighting devices and spatial objects. The rhythmic verticality and interplay of mass and void reference principles common in architectural design, while the exclusive use of brass links them to the Scandinavian tradition of expressive metalwork.

This pair is a fine example of sculptural lighting from the 1960s, where formal experimentation and technical precision resulted in atmospheric yet functional design. The lamps serve not only as lighting fixtures but also as illuminated wall reliefs, embodying the convergence of form, material, and light.