In Loving Memory of Stefan Rath 1943 – 2016 The Heart, Mind and Soul of Lobmeyr Lighting May your Light never fade! 1061-20 at Hotel Grand Ferdinand, Vienna

The 19th century saw some milestones of Lobmeyr’s creativity such as the fruitful collaboration with Theophil Hansen or the first electrical chandeliers with T.A. Edison. Beside the technical innovation, it was the focus on the highest quality in the manufacture, which drove these creations. Having no workshop for chandelier manufacture Lobmeyr relied on trusted and skilled manufacturers to collaborate with to execute such outstanding designs. Jos. Zahn & Co, founded 1780, the year Maria Theresia died, was the most trusted and reliable manufacturer throughout the 19th century, meeting Lobmeyr’s...

The frame is of iron, expertly wrought by hand. This is then leaf-gilded and clad with fitted glass bands or numerous crystal rosettes to augment the impression. The brilliance comes with the typical crystal pendants. An important detail is then the number and size of these pendants, but foremost a lively variety of different shapes that give the chandelier its energy. Dia.: 105 cm, H.: 150 cm Wt.: 12 kg 12 lights E14; max. W.: 720 Wrought iron, hand-cut crystal; Leaf gold finish Bally Chandelier 562-24 Stefan Rath, 1920 The Austrian Emperors always aspired the savoir-vivre of the French Kings....

562-24 in a private living room Photo: Christian Steinbrenner 1061-15, Private Salon, Vienna Photo: Lukas Dostal

At the exposition in Milan in 1883 Lobmeyr presented a new take on the traditional bag-and-tent chandeliers, that into whole bodies of light with the new electric light. The pieces completely do without any candles. Funnily, later examples again show candles as the clientele seemed to need this homage to the living flame. Historism Series Milano Chandelier 2720-15 Ludwig Lobmeyr, 1905 W.: 90 cm, H.: 165 cm Wt.: 50 kg 15 lights E14; max. W.: 900 Brass, lead-free crystal; Antique gold finish The late 19th century saw one of the most creative periods in Lobmeyrs chandelier development. Typical elements...

A playful variation of the Viennese Baroque frames is to furnish them not only with clear crystal but also with colourful glass fruits, very popular in the 1830ies and again in the 1950ies. From the French tradition stem also very classical baroque designs such as the famous Louis XVI. with the elaborate bronze frames and large crystals or the abundantly decorated cast brass fixtures in Rococo style. W.: 65 cm, H.: 100 cm Wt.: 10 kg 6 lights; max. W.: 360 Iron, hand-cut crystal; Leaf gold finish Dia.: 60 cm, H.: 80 cm Wt.: 12 kg 8 x lights; max. W.: 480 Iron, hand-cut crystal; Leaf gold finish...

Most Biedermeier chandeliers feature clear and simple outlines. Despite this sternness, all fixtures show elaborate details in the manufacture that supplement their calm elegance and sophistication. The brass can be polished and varnished for a lasting shine, allowed to darken with time or given a patina for a sombre character. Another option is partly coloured crystals. Emperor Franz I. Chandelier 1644-6 Zahn, ca. 1810 Dia.: 52 cm, H.: 85 cm Wt.: 8 kg 6 lights E14; max. W.:360 Brass; Gold finish The Wiener G’rüstl A Biedermeier original Emperor Franz I. Chandelier 1644-1 Zahn, ca. 1810 Dia.:...

5085-8, Palais Sans Souci, Vienna 1611-12, Private House, Vienna

Common motives are curves and circles that symbolise the sun as well as crystal prisms and tender chains that mimic icicles and frost buds. Most examples feature hand-refined cast elements and finely embossed brass belts. The metal frames are usually antique gilded. Other surfaces can give a stunning new character. Al Khobar Chandelier 40679-12 Lobmeyr, ca. 1980 Dia.: 100 cm, H.: 140 cm Wt.: 35 kg 12 lights E14; max. W.: 720 hand-cut crystal; Gold finish Nordic Empire Between Russia and Sweden St. Petersburg Chandelier 1607-16 Historical, ca. 1820 Hermitage Chandelier 1611-12 Historical, ca....

Napoléon Chandelier 1675-12 Historical, ca. 1800 The grandfather of an emerited craftsman spent his apprenticeship with a chandelier maker in France. Returning to Vienna he not only brought all the skills and knowledge but also the tools and designs of the French Empire. Besides manufacturing these extravagant black-gold items in their full authenticity we have an archive of original fittings and decorations, opening a wide field for customisation and individualisation. Dia.: 65 cm, H.: 85 cm Wt.: 12 kg 12 lights E14; max. W.: 720 Brass Antique gold finish Around 1800 Zahn took over the whole...

Mecca Chandelier 40570-6+3 Stefan Rath, 1975 Dia.: 70 cm, H.: 105 cm Wt.: 12 kg 9 bulbs; max. W.: 540 Brass, lead-free glass; Gold finish Medina Extension 41722-21 Lobmeyr, 1980 Medina Pendant Lamps 41127-I-1, -II-1, -IV-1 Peter Rath, 1986 Dia.: 60 cm, H.: 106 cm Wt.: 60 kg 21 lights E14; max. W.: 1260 Brass, hand cut crystal; Gold finish Dia.: 35, 30, 32 cm, H.: 148 cm Wt.: 5 kg 1 light E27; max. W.: 60 Brass, lead-free glass; Gold finish Mecca Extension Pendant 41616-12 Stefan Rath, 1980 Muscat Wall sconce 42355-2 Lobmeyr, 2004 Dia.:42 cm H.: 56 cm Wt.: 10 kg 12 lights E14; max. W.: 720 Brass,...

Pendant lamp 41616 at Masjid Nabawi in Medina Photo: Ahmad Faizal Yahya, Dreamstime.com

J.&L. LOBMEYR Vienna • Austria www.lobmeyr.at