Pair of Brass & Green Glass Candleholders — Gunnar Ander for Ystad-Metall, Sweden, 1960s

There is something almost jewel-like about this pair. Two conical bases of polished solid brass, each supporting a vivid emerald green glass sleeve held in place by a delicate brass cradle with ball-tipped arms — the combination of warm gold and deep transparent green is as striking today as it would have been when these were designed in the 1960s.

The design is by Gunnar Ander, one of the most prolific and celebrated designers in Ystad-Metall’s history. Ander joined the company in the late 1950s and went on to create many of its most successful and recognisable models — from his beloved wrought iron wire animals to refined brass objects like these. His work is characterised by a confident elegance that sits comfortably between Scandinavian Modernism and the more decorative sensibility of the postwar period. Where some designers favoured austerity, Ander had a talent for adding just the right touch of warmth and playfulness without ever losing his sense of refinement.

This pair is in superb vintage condition. The brass shows only minor signs of wear consistent with age, and the green glass sleeves are completely intact — no cracks, no chips. Both pieces are marked with Gunnar Ander’s personal symbol, the Ystad-Metall logo, and “Made in Sweden”, confirming their authenticity and making them a highly traceable addition to any collection of Swedish mid-century design.