Model "E1140" Table Lamp by Sonja Katzin for ASEA, Sweden ca 1950s
Model "E1140" Table Lamp by Sonja Katzin for ASEA, Sweden ca 1950s
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
Sonja Katzin’s work for ASEA occupies a special place in the history of Swedish lighting design. During the 1950s, ASEA was not only an industrial powerhouse but also an important commissioner of modern domestic lighting, collaborating with designers who understood how to bring softness and elegance into functional objects. Katzin’s lamps often combined her experience as a sculptor with expert skill, resulting in pieces that feel refined without being excessive. Her designs fit seamlessly into the Scandinavian postwar home, where light was as essential to atmosphere as furniture itself.
Model “E1140” shows this sensitivity in a striking way. The base is shaped almost like a carved column, tapering in as it rises toward the shade. The body displays a mix of vertical and horizontal ribs, as well as geometric elements, that draw the eye in. The golden hue of the metal carries a warm, aged glow, charming and full of character - especially when compared to the polished shine of new pieces. The material further highlights the carved pattern by allowing light to reflect off the textural variation, introducing a sense of depth. When paired with the broad, conical shade, the base takes on an architectural presence. The angle of the shade and the proportion between its diameter and the height of the lamp are what give the piece its poise. Nothing feels excessive. Everything sits intentionally in relation to all other elements. When lit, the textile shade diffuses light into a gentle halo that accentuates the brass without overwhelming it. The lamp offers a kind of ambiance that is characteristic of Scandinavian mid-century pieces, where cosiness and clarity of design coexist effortlessly.
As a whole, the lamp captures what made ASEA’s collaborations so enduring: thoughtful materials and an attention to atmosphere rather than ornament. Sonja Katzin understood this, and Model “E1140” is a clear example of that approach.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The lamp has recently been reconditioned and rewired. The shade is a later replacement. Due to the nature and age of the materials, the item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
15.74 in ø x 20.86 in H
40 cm ø x 53 cm H
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur
Hans Bergström’s designs are just as scarce today as the information available on the Swedish designer, despite his undeniable quality of output. Guided by the mantra, “Light must be white and shine freely,” he designed and produced functional and modern fixtures that were intended to brighten up entire spaces.
The beauty of these stylish lamps lies in the combination of materials, including the accent wooden necks, the brass elements and the scalloped edged shades. The pairing of brass and wood creates an interesting visual effect, where the organic and traditional look of the wood meets the modern look of brass. Swedish lighting manufacturers, like ASEA, were masters of creating designs with great textural variety - as this lovely table lamp shows. The brass elements tie the materials together in a design that is indeed innovative and modern, yet still fresh to the contemporary eye. The beautiful colours and textures of the materials are further emphasised when the light is turned on by the switch on the base. This elegant pair casts an atmospheric light and thus contributes to the warmth of an interior but also fits perfectly on an elegant surface.
This lamp model effortlessly shows off Bergström’s creativity that he always paired with structural precision and material quality. Hans Bergström had a modernist approach based on quality and attention to detail, and was the favourite lighting designer of many fellow architects, among them Bruno Mathsson.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The lamps have recently been reconditioned and rewired. The shades are later replacements. Due to the age and nature of the materials, the items may have marks, and discolouration. All lighting can be converted for US usage.
Dimensions:
15.35 in ⌀ x 22.63 in H
39 cm ⌀ x 57.5 cm H