Lars Holmström candlestick

This rare brass candlestick, designed and produced by Lars Holmström in his own workshop in Arvika, Sweden during the 1940s, is a distinctive example of Scandinavian decorative metalwork that blends functional design with sculptural detail. The piece exemplifies a localized interpretation of the Art Deco style, distinguished by geometric clarity, rhythmic repetition, and a strong emphasis on craftsmanship.

The candlestick features a horizontally oriented brass armature with a stepped and zigzagging profile. Mounted along this armature are seven evenly spaced candleholders, each elevated on a small circular plate and flared gently at the rim. The interiors of the cups show visible green oxidation, consistent with age and the chemical properties of brass. These holders contribute to a measured visual rhythm across the length of the piece, emphasizing both symmetry and variation in elevation.

A secondary horizontal support bar runs parallel beneath the main armature, adorned with small decorative brass spheres at regular intervals. This structural detail reinforces the linear composition while adding ornamentation characteristic of Holmström’s work. The armature connects to a spherical brass joint, which in turn is mounted on a circular, tiered base constructed from concentric rings. The base grounds the piece with a sense of mass and balance, contrasting with the lightness of the upper structure.

The brass surface has acquired a rich, aged patina, with darker oxidation around the candle cups and surface wear that reflects decades of handling and exposure. These traces of use enhance the piece’s historical authenticity and material depth.

Lars Holmström was a Swedish metal artist active from the early to mid-20th century, noted for his work in lighting and decorative arts. Based in Arvika, he operated a small-scale workshop specializing in hand-wrought brass objects often produced in limited series. His designs typically feature robust material expression, artisanal finishes, and formal clarity. This candlestick bears his workshop stamp—”Lars Holmström Arvika”—alongside an etched figure of a man with a hammer, a signature emblem representing the artisanal ethos of the studio.

The candlestick measures 53 cm in width, 14 cm in depth, and 18.5 cm in height (approximately 20.9 x 5.5 x 7.3 inches). It stands as a rare and sculpturally expressive example of Swedish metalcraft from the interwar and early postwar periods, embodying both decorative sophistication and the tactile qualities of handmade design.