Hans Bergström ceiling lamp

This rare ceiling lamp, designed by Hans Bergström and produced by Ateljé Lyktan in Åhus, Sweden, exemplifies the refined and poetic qualities of Scandinavian mid-century lighting. Created during a period when Bergström was pioneering soft lighting solutions for domestic interiors, the piece combines delicate craftsmanship with subtle theatricality, reflecting his commitment to shaping atmospheric light through elegant materials and forms.

The lamp features a conical brass fixture, which serves as both a structural and decorative element. The brass has a warm golden hue, likely the result of a lightly aged or carefully preserved polished finish. Vertical slits around the cone enhance the sense of lightness and airiness while also allowing light to radiate from the top section, contributing to the layered luminosity typical of Bergström’s designs.

Suspended below the brass fixture is the lamp’s most distinctive feature: a rounded fabric lampshade shaped like a segmented globe, reminiscent of a pumpkin. The shade is executed in a soft pink base color and adorned with white floral and botanical motifs, applied with delicate precision. Thin vertical lines divide the shade into even sections, reinforcing its sculptural form and lending structural support. The overall effect is one of quiet elegance and organic softness.

When lit, the fabric shade emits a rich reddish-orange glow, filtering light in a way that brings warmth and intimacy to the surrounding space. The printed botanical designs become gently illuminated, enhancing their visibility and creating a layered interplay of color and pattern. The balance between decorative detail and soft ambient light reflects Bergström’s interest in integrating visual texture and mood into lighting objects.

The lamp measures 23 cm in diameter and extends to a total drop of 135 cm (approximately 9.1 inches by 53.1 inches), making it particularly well suited for suspended use over dining tables, reading areas, or in entryways where it can function as a luminous focal point.

Hans Bergström (1910–1996), co-founder of Ateljé Lyktan, was one of Sweden’s most influential lighting designers. He consistently pushed boundaries in material use and form, blending functionalism with romantic or organic motifs. His designs often explored the sensory impact of light and material, particularly in domestic contexts, and the use of fabric lampshades was central to this approach in the 1940s and 50s.

Ateljé Lyktan, under Bergström’s leadership, became a laboratory for lighting experimentation, known for its handcrafted quality and its embrace of emerging modernist aesthetics. This particular example stands as a testament to that ethos—delicate in construction yet impactful in its presence.

The lamp remains in well-preserved vintage condition. The brass shows minimal patina, consistent with its age, while the fabric shade retains its original coloration and pattern, with only minor wear. All structural and electrical components are intact and functional, making the piece ready for installation. It is a rare and visually arresting example of Hans Bergström’s mid-century production, combining refined materiality with a warm, ambient lighting effect.