Hans-Agne Jakobsson Chandelier in Brass with Beige Silk Fringes

Hans-Agne Jakobsson for Hans-Agne Jakobsson AB in Markaryd, chandelier, model ‘T606/95’, brass, silk, Sweden, 1960s

This chandelier by Hans-Agne Jakobsson features a graceful composition that balances elegance with understated theatricality. The brass framework of this chandelier is characterized by its graceful, curved arms, which extend outward from the central column in a balanced radial symmetry. These arms, crafted with precision, lend a sense of fluidity to the otherwise geometric composition. The curvature of each arm directs the light shades outward, creating an open, airy arrangement. Each shade is draped in dense beige silk fringes, arranged in uniform layers. This fringe not only softens the emitted light, casting a gentle, atmospheric glow, but also introduces a tactile contrast to the smooth brass.

The Swedish interior and furniture designer Hans-Agne Jakobsson (1919-2009) was born in Hvadhem, a small village located in the province Gotland, Sweden, in 1919. Jakobsson obtained an apprenticeship as a carpenter before completing an architectural study in Gothenburg. He made his entrance as an industrial designer at General Motors and subsequently started assisting furniture designers Carl Malmsten (1888-1972) and Werner West (1890-1959). In 1951, he established his own company Hans-Agne Jakobsson AB in Markaryd, Sweden. He worked during the Golden Age of Scandinavian design and his oeuvre ranged from furniture, lighting, and various everyday objects. Jakobsson is best remembered for his softly glowing, glare-free lighting fixtures, which were inspired by the “organic modern” approaches of Danish lighting master Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) and Finnish icon Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). Jakobsson created a diversity of pendants, floor lamps, wall lamps, and table lamps that showcase a penchant for diverse materials and forms, as well as a deep understanding of lighting effects. Throughout his career, Jakobsson carried out commissions for private homes as well as public buildings. In 2009, Hans-Agne Jakobsson passed away in Markaryd, leaving a long-lasting mark in the field of lighting design.