Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan Wall Light in Patinated Copper

Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan, wall lamp, variation on model '1006A', patinated copper, Sweden, 1940s

Swedish designer Hans Bergström designed this wall light in the 1940s. As for the material Bergström chose copper that has patinated wonderfully over time. The shade of the wall lamp is perforated with long gaps that allow a beautiful light partition and play of shadows. Another wonderful asset of this design is the multi-functionality of using them indoors or outdoors.

Hans Bergström (1910-1996), a luminary figure hailing from the realm of Swedish architecture and design, was born on November 4, 1910, in Karlshamn, Sweden. After his completion of secondary school in 1927, Hans embarked on an internship at Ystad Metall, a local craft industry situated near his grandfather's farm. In 1929, he sought further education and enrolled at the esteemed School of Art and Design in Stockholm. Remarkably, even before his graduation from this institution, at the age of twenty, Hans showcased his prowess as a designer for Ystad Metall at the prestigious Stockholm Exhibition in 1930.

In the 1920s, Hans encountered his future wife Verna during the summer holidays in his native town of Karlshamn. In 1934, the couple jointly established the company ateljé Lyktan, a venture that combined their collaborative efforts in luminaire design and various artistic pursuits. Bergström undertook various commissions spanning a wide range of architectural environments, including churches, private residences, and public buildings. It was from this point forward that Bergström spearheaded a revolution in Swedish luminaire manufacturing, fundamentally transforming the perception and application of electric lighting in the coming decades.

During the advent of the 1950s, the emergence of plastic as a novel material in modern lighting captured Hans' attention. As the United States gradually introduced plastic as a material of significance, Bergström encountered a method involving the application of sprayed plastic onto a rotating wire frame, facilitated by a spray gun. Interestingly, this technique bore certain resemblances to the later approach employed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in the creation of their Viscontea Lamp (1960), reminiscent of a cocoon, designed for Flos. Recognizing the vast potential offered by this new technology, he successfully managed to get a patent for the production.

For a span of three decades, Bergström held the position of creative director at ateljé Lyktan and served as the sole designer of the company until the early 1960s. A significant portion of his designs were unique pieces, numbered but lacking specific names. Through his pioneering work, Bergström emerged as a leading figure in the realm of modern Swedish lighting fixtures. On June 14, 1996, Hans Bergström passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.

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