Main Inhalt
5.00
1
Böhlmarks
Böhlmarks – Swedish Pioneer of Lighting Design (1872–1978)
Böhlmarks, officially Aktiebolaget Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik, was founded in Stockholm in 1872 by Daniel Arvid Böhlmark, born on 10 April 1841 in the municipality of Järna and died on 28 June 1897 in Stockholm. Regarding Böhlmark's professional background prior to founding the company, the sources offer two slightly differing accounts: according to the more detailed version, based on the Swedish Wikipedia biographical dictionary, he worked as a bookkeeper at the estate of Lickanå bruk in Värmland from 1859 to 1863, before moving to Stockholm in 1864, where he worked as a commercial agent for the candle manufacturer Liljeholmens Stearinfabrik. A second, more popular account (mnytt.se) instead cites a move from the province of Dalarna in 1865 and direct employment at the candle factory itself. Both versions agree on the essential point, however: as demand for stearin candles declined with the growing popularity of petroleum, Böhlmark founded his own business in 1872 selling petroleum lamps, which he initially imported.
In 1886 he acquired the property at Högbergsgatan 21 in the Södermalm district of Stockholm and established there one of the first factories of its kind in Sweden for the domestic manufacture of petroleum lamps; the factory premises later expanded to cover Högbergsgatan 19–25. Following the acquisition of Pukebergs Glasbruk in Nybro (Småland), the company also operated its own glassworks there for lamp shades and glass components. Böhlmarks maintained a retail outlet at the centrally located Norrmalmstorg in Stockholm.
Early Years: From Petroleum Lamp to Electricity
In its early years, Böhlmarks produced and imported primarily petroleum lamps – hand, table, wall and hanging lamps as well as stable lanterns – and petrol lamps in sheet metal, zinc and brass. The factory also manufactured petroleum stoves and steel-tube furniture for a time, but the focus remained on luminaire production. With growing commercial success, the company invested increasingly in its own machinery for the manufacture of lamp components, established its own foundry and acquired the glassworks Pukebergs Glasbruk in order to meet the rising demand for glass shades for electric luminaires in-house.
Arvid Böhlmark died in 1897. The lamp factory passed initially to his widow Lina Böhlmark, and was subsequently continued as Aktiebolaget Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik by a wholesale merchant. From 1901, Böhlmarks took up the production of electric domestic luminaires and thus consistently aligned the company with the new lighting technology.
Harald Notini and the Artistic Golden Age (1916–1958)
A decisive turning point came in 1916, when the sculptor and interior architect Harald Notini was engaged as artistic director both for the Stockholm factory and for the glass production at Pukeberg. Under Notini's leadership, Böhlmarks developed into one of Sweden's most artistically distinguished lighting manufacturers. A large proportion of the earlier catalogues had previously consisted of traditional chandeliers and reproductions of historical styles; Notini instead drove forward the development of independent, contemporary luminaires.
Notini's creative range extended from the elegant 'Swedish Grace' of the 1920s, through strictly functionalist luminaires shown at the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition (Stockholmsutställningen), to the 'Swedish Modern' aesthetic of the 1940s and 1950s – still highly valued today – with brass bodies and details in glass, wood and leather. Notini remained with Böhlmarks throughout his entire professional life and, according to a commemorative publication for the company's 75th anniversary (1947), was still active with his own office and extensive responsibilities within the company until the age of 79 (1958).
Company Size and Significance
Between approximately 1920 and 1950, Böhlmarks was the largest Swedish manufacturer of electric domestic luminaires. At the company's 75th anniversary in 1947, it employed around 250 staff at its Stockholm and Nybro locations and was still regarded as the leading supplier in its sector in Sweden.
Acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan and End of the Brand
In 1964 the Stockholm factory was closed and production transferred entirely to the glassworks Pukebergs Glasbruk in Nybro. In 1965, Böhlmarks was acquired by the Swedish lighting manufacturer Ateljé Lyktan; several historic Böhlmarks models, including Gunnar Asplund's ceiling lamp 'Model 6022', were subsequently continued under the Ateljé Lyktan brand. As an independent legal entity, the company formally existed until 1978, according to the Nationalencyklopedin.
In 1886 he acquired the property at Högbergsgatan 21 in the Södermalm district of Stockholm and established there one of the first factories of its kind in Sweden for the domestic manufacture of petroleum lamps; the factory premises later expanded to cover Högbergsgatan 19–25. Following the acquisition of Pukebergs Glasbruk in Nybro (Småland), the company also operated its own glassworks there for lamp shades and glass components. Böhlmarks maintained a retail outlet at the centrally located Norrmalmstorg in Stockholm.
Early Years: From Petroleum Lamp to Electricity
In its early years, Böhlmarks produced and imported primarily petroleum lamps – hand, table, wall and hanging lamps as well as stable lanterns – and petrol lamps in sheet metal, zinc and brass. The factory also manufactured petroleum stoves and steel-tube furniture for a time, but the focus remained on luminaire production. With growing commercial success, the company invested increasingly in its own machinery for the manufacture of lamp components, established its own foundry and acquired the glassworks Pukebergs Glasbruk in order to meet the rising demand for glass shades for electric luminaires in-house.
Arvid Böhlmark died in 1897. The lamp factory passed initially to his widow Lina Böhlmark, and was subsequently continued as Aktiebolaget Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik by a wholesale merchant. From 1901, Böhlmarks took up the production of electric domestic luminaires and thus consistently aligned the company with the new lighting technology.
Harald Notini and the Artistic Golden Age (1916–1958)
A decisive turning point came in 1916, when the sculptor and interior architect Harald Notini was engaged as artistic director both for the Stockholm factory and for the glass production at Pukeberg. Under Notini's leadership, Böhlmarks developed into one of Sweden's most artistically distinguished lighting manufacturers. A large proportion of the earlier catalogues had previously consisted of traditional chandeliers and reproductions of historical styles; Notini instead drove forward the development of independent, contemporary luminaires.
Notini's creative range extended from the elegant 'Swedish Grace' of the 1920s, through strictly functionalist luminaires shown at the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition (Stockholmsutställningen), to the 'Swedish Modern' aesthetic of the 1940s and 1950s – still highly valued today – with brass bodies and details in glass, wood and leather. Notini remained with Böhlmarks throughout his entire professional life and, according to a commemorative publication for the company's 75th anniversary (1947), was still active with his own office and extensive responsibilities within the company until the age of 79 (1958).
Company Size and Significance
Between approximately 1920 and 1950, Böhlmarks was the largest Swedish manufacturer of electric domestic luminaires. At the company's 75th anniversary in 1947, it employed around 250 staff at its Stockholm and Nybro locations and was still regarded as the leading supplier in its sector in Sweden.
Acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan and End of the Brand
In 1964 the Stockholm factory was closed and production transferred entirely to the glassworks Pukebergs Glasbruk in Nybro. In 1965, Böhlmarks was acquired by the Swedish lighting manufacturer Ateljé Lyktan; several historic Böhlmarks models, including Gunnar Asplund's ceiling lamp 'Model 6022', were subsequently continued under the Ateljé Lyktan brand. As an independent legal entity, the company formally existed until 1978, according to the Nationalencyklopedin.
Designers
Alice Nordin (1871–1948)
The Stockholm sculptor Alice Nordin was one of Sweden's most significant female artists around the turn of the century and in 1911 became the first woman to hold her own sculpture exhibition at the Konstnärshuset in Stockholm. From 1903 to 1916 she collaborated with Böhlmarks, designing around a dozen Art Nouveau luminaires – ceiling fittings with floral ornaments and table lamps whose bases were supported by slender human figures, bearing poetic model names such as 'Livets träd' (Tree of Life) and 'Natt och Morgon' (Night and Morning). Nordin was the only designer whom Böhlmarks permitted to sign her luminaires.
Harald Notini (1879–1959)
Harald Notini, son of the sculptor Axel Notini, had trained as a sculptor and interior architect at the Högre konstindustriella skolan (today's Konstfack). From 1916 until his death in 1959, he served as artistic director at Böhlmarks and Pukebergs Glasbruk, shaping the brand's appearance over four decades – from the Swedish Grace period of the 1920s, through the functionalism of the 1930s, to the Swedish Modern of the post-war years.
Gunnar Asplund (1885–1940)
The architect Gunnar Asplund, one of the most significant representatives of Swedish modernism and co-organiser of the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition, designed for Böhlmarks in the 1920s the rigorously reduced ceiling lamp Model '6022', among other works; this continued to be produced – even after the acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan – into the 1950s.
Uno Westerberg (1914–1985)
Uno Westerberg, trained in interior architecture at Konstfack in Stockholm, joined Böhlmarks in 1935 as a designer of lighting glass. From the 1960s onwards he designed an increasing number of ceiling, wall and table luminaires for the domestic market. When Böhlmarks ceased production of lighting glass in the mid-1970s, Westerberg became artistic director of Pukebergs Glasbruk, where he continued to enjoy success with the series 'Stratos', 'Ulla' and 'Korall'.
Alf Wallander (1862–1914)
The Stockholm painter and craftsman Alf Wallander was associated from 1895 with the porcelain manufactory Rörstrand, where from 1896 he became known for Art Nouveau ceramics and in 1900 became artistic director; together with Gunnar G:son Wennerberg he is regarded as one of the pioneers of Art Nouveau in Swedish arts and crafts. Swedish sources (including mandaric.se) also list him among the designers who worked for Böhlmarks during the first decades of the 20th century; the specific luminaire models attributable to him are not documented in further detail in the evaluated sources.
Jerk Werkmäster (1896–1978)
Jerk Werkmäster from Rättvik in Dalarna studied at the Högre konstindustriella skolan in Stockholm (1916–1919) and at the Kungliga Akademien för de fria konsterna (1919–1922). He became known primarily as artistic director of the ceramics factory Nittsjö (1933–1967); Swedish sources also name him as a designer for Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik. Here too, no further details of specific Böhlmarks designs are available.
Knut Hallgren
Knut Hallgren is listed in several Swedish sources as one of the designers who created luminaires and home accessories for Böhlmarks during the first decades of the 20th century. No biographical details or specific model attributions could be established from the evaluated sources.
Iconic Products and Milestones
1872: Founding of Aktiebolaget Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik in Stockholm. 1886: Acquisition of the property at Högbergsgatan 21 in Stockholm and establishment of an in-house factory. 1897: Death of founder Arvid Böhlmark; continued by his widow Lina Böhlmark and subsequently by a wholesale merchant. 1901: Commencement of electric domestic luminaire production. 1903–1916: Collaboration with sculptor Alice Nordin, who designs around a dozen Art Nouveau luminaires for Böhlmarks. 1916: Harald Notini appointed artistic director of the Stockholm factory and glass production at Pukeberg. c. 1920–1950: Böhlmarks is Sweden's largest manufacturer of electric domestic luminaires. 1930: Notini's functionalist luminaires presented at the Stockholm Exhibition. 1935: Uno Westerberg joins Böhlmarks as a glass designer. 1947: 75th company anniversary with around 250 employees in Stockholm and Nybro. 1958: Harald Notini concludes his active work at the age of 79; he dies in 1959. 1964: Closure of the Stockholm factory; production transferred to Pukebergs Glasbruk in Nybro. 1965: Acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan. 1978: Formal end of Böhlmarks as an independent public limited company.
Product Philosophy and Current Profile
Böhlmarks stood for the combination of industrial manufacturing with artistic ambition: from Art Nouveau through Swedish Grace, functionalism and Swedish Modern, the company's luminaires reflect the central stylistic phases of 20th-century Swedish design. Characteristic features are high-quality combinations of materials – brass, glass, wood and leather – and close collaboration with renowned sculptors, interior architects and architects. Historic Böhlmarks luminaires, in particular designs by Harald Notini, Alice Nordin and Gunnar Asplund, are today internationally sought-after collector's items and regularly achieve high prices at auction – for example at Bukowskis in Stockholm – with individual matched pairs by Notini sold there for several hundred thousand kronor. Through the 1965 acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan, part of the creative legacy of Böhlmarks lives on to this day.Sources and References
Alice Nordin (1871–1948)
The Stockholm sculptor Alice Nordin was one of Sweden's most significant female artists around the turn of the century and in 1911 became the first woman to hold her own sculpture exhibition at the Konstnärshuset in Stockholm. From 1903 to 1916 she collaborated with Böhlmarks, designing around a dozen Art Nouveau luminaires – ceiling fittings with floral ornaments and table lamps whose bases were supported by slender human figures, bearing poetic model names such as 'Livets träd' (Tree of Life) and 'Natt och Morgon' (Night and Morning). Nordin was the only designer whom Böhlmarks permitted to sign her luminaires.
Harald Notini (1879–1959)
Harald Notini, son of the sculptor Axel Notini, had trained as a sculptor and interior architect at the Högre konstindustriella skolan (today's Konstfack). From 1916 until his death in 1959, he served as artistic director at Böhlmarks and Pukebergs Glasbruk, shaping the brand's appearance over four decades – from the Swedish Grace period of the 1920s, through the functionalism of the 1930s, to the Swedish Modern of the post-war years.
Gunnar Asplund (1885–1940)
The architect Gunnar Asplund, one of the most significant representatives of Swedish modernism and co-organiser of the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition, designed for Böhlmarks in the 1920s the rigorously reduced ceiling lamp Model '6022', among other works; this continued to be produced – even after the acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan – into the 1950s.
Uno Westerberg (1914–1985)
Uno Westerberg, trained in interior architecture at Konstfack in Stockholm, joined Böhlmarks in 1935 as a designer of lighting glass. From the 1960s onwards he designed an increasing number of ceiling, wall and table luminaires for the domestic market. When Böhlmarks ceased production of lighting glass in the mid-1970s, Westerberg became artistic director of Pukebergs Glasbruk, where he continued to enjoy success with the series 'Stratos', 'Ulla' and 'Korall'.
Alf Wallander (1862–1914)
The Stockholm painter and craftsman Alf Wallander was associated from 1895 with the porcelain manufactory Rörstrand, where from 1896 he became known for Art Nouveau ceramics and in 1900 became artistic director; together with Gunnar G:son Wennerberg he is regarded as one of the pioneers of Art Nouveau in Swedish arts and crafts. Swedish sources (including mandaric.se) also list him among the designers who worked for Böhlmarks during the first decades of the 20th century; the specific luminaire models attributable to him are not documented in further detail in the evaluated sources.
Jerk Werkmäster (1896–1978)
Jerk Werkmäster from Rättvik in Dalarna studied at the Högre konstindustriella skolan in Stockholm (1916–1919) and at the Kungliga Akademien för de fria konsterna (1919–1922). He became known primarily as artistic director of the ceramics factory Nittsjö (1933–1967); Swedish sources also name him as a designer for Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik. Here too, no further details of specific Böhlmarks designs are available.
Knut Hallgren
Knut Hallgren is listed in several Swedish sources as one of the designers who created luminaires and home accessories for Böhlmarks during the first decades of the 20th century. No biographical details or specific model attributions could be established from the evaluated sources.
Iconic Products and Milestones
1872: Founding of Aktiebolaget Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik in Stockholm. 1886: Acquisition of the property at Högbergsgatan 21 in Stockholm and establishment of an in-house factory. 1897: Death of founder Arvid Böhlmark; continued by his widow Lina Böhlmark and subsequently by a wholesale merchant. 1901: Commencement of electric domestic luminaire production. 1903–1916: Collaboration with sculptor Alice Nordin, who designs around a dozen Art Nouveau luminaires for Böhlmarks. 1916: Harald Notini appointed artistic director of the Stockholm factory and glass production at Pukeberg. c. 1920–1950: Böhlmarks is Sweden's largest manufacturer of electric domestic luminaires. 1930: Notini's functionalist luminaires presented at the Stockholm Exhibition. 1935: Uno Westerberg joins Böhlmarks as a glass designer. 1947: 75th company anniversary with around 250 employees in Stockholm and Nybro. 1958: Harald Notini concludes his active work at the age of 79; he dies in 1959. 1964: Closure of the Stockholm factory; production transferred to Pukebergs Glasbruk in Nybro. 1965: Acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan. 1978: Formal end of Böhlmarks as an independent public limited company.
Product Philosophy and Current Profile
Böhlmarks stood for the combination of industrial manufacturing with artistic ambition: from Art Nouveau through Swedish Grace, functionalism and Swedish Modern, the company's luminaires reflect the central stylistic phases of 20th-century Swedish design. Characteristic features are high-quality combinations of materials – brass, glass, wood and leather – and close collaboration with renowned sculptors, interior architects and architects. Historic Böhlmarks luminaires, in particular designs by Harald Notini, Alice Nordin and Gunnar Asplund, are today internationally sought-after collector's items and regularly achieve high prices at auction – for example at Bukowskis in Stockholm – with individual matched pairs by Notini sold there for several hundred thousand kronor. Through the 1965 acquisition by Ateljé Lyktan, part of the creative legacy of Böhlmarks lives on to this day.Sources and References
Swedish-language sources
· Nationalencyklopedin (NE.se) – "Böhlmarks lampfabrik"
· Wikipedia (Swedish) – "Arvid Böhlmark" and "Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik"
· mnytt.se – "Arvid Böhlmarks lampfabrik"
· Svenskt kvinnobiografiskt lexikon (skbl.se) – "Alice Maria Nordin"
· Bukowskis – Bukipedia: "Harald Notini", "Alf Wallander"
· Bukowskis – Auction results Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik
· Kalmar konstmuseum – Design Archive: "Uno Westerberg"
· mandaric.se – Designer profile "Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik"
English-language sources
· Bloomberry – "Böhlmarks (1872–1944)", designer profile
· Bukowskis – Bukipedia (English version): "Harald Notini (1879–1959)"
· 1stDibs – Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik, object descriptions
· Pamono – Böhlmarks, manufacturer page
As of 10 July 2026: sources in Swedish and English evaluated