A pair of candle sticks

Designed by Gunnar Ander

A pair of candle sticks designed by Gunnar Ander, Sweden, 1950s

Gunnar Ander (1908–1976) was a prominent Swedish designer and architect whose work helped define mid-20th-century Scandinavian design. Educated at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, he began his career as an illustrator before moving into industrial design.

His most enduring contributions came through collaborations with Ystad Metall and Lindshammars Glasbruk. At Ystad Metall, Ander developed a distinctive range of decorative and functional objects, including candelabras and candlesticks—such as this pair—marked by their graceful forms and elegant combination of wrought iron, brass, and coloured glass.

Ander’s creativity extended well beyond glass and metal. He also designed furniture and textiles for several Swedish firms, including Svenskt Tenn, bringing the same sense of clarity and visual balance to interiors as he did to his objects. His legacy is one of refined utility, vibrant materiality, and lasting artistic vision.