Swedish luminaire manufactory since 1934
Designers and design signature:
Hans Bergström (1910–1981) – founder and first chief designer
Hans Bergström had studied at the Stockholm Konstfack (Institute of Industrial Design) and shaped the company's first decades with designs in the spirit of "Swedish Modern." His best-known work is the model 181 – the cone-shaped pendant lamp "Struten" (Swedish for "the cone"), designed around 1950 from the then-new material plastic. For this model, Bergström received a gold medal at the X Triennale in Milan in 1954. The "Struten" is still in production today and is regarded as a classic of Scandinavian mid-century design. As early as 1949, the first international appearance took place with a presentation of the luminaires at the newly opened Bonnier's department store in New York.
Anders Pehrson (1912–1982) – took over management in 1964, director until 1978
Anders Pehrson studied engineering and worked between 1952 and 1963 as design manager at Philips AB in Stockholm. According to the official company chronicle, in 1964 he was asked to take over the entire management in Åhus, and subsequently shaped the company as managing director, artistic director and marketing manager in one person. His best-known design is the "Bumling" lamp (Swedish for "boulder" or "large round stone") from 1968, which was first shown at a lighting fair in Gothenburg. The Bumling was originally made in six sizes and numerous colours and is still produced in Åhus today. Pehrson's other important designs include the "Simris" series (table lamp model 591 and floor lamp model 781, both 1964) as well as the "Supertube", "Tube" and "Knubbling" model ranges, likewise popular in the 1970s, which found success both in the residential sphere and in public spaces.
Contemporary designers (selection):
Ateljé Lyktan has collaborated with leading Scandinavian designers for decades. Among the defining contemporary designers are, among others, Matti Klenell (born 1972, lives and works in Stockholm, MFA in Interior Architecture and Furniture Design at Konstfack), who created the "Mela" lamp family, as well as Mattias Stenberg (Swedish architect and designer, graduate of the Royal Institute of Technology KTH in Stockholm, own studio since 2010). The designer Sigvard Bernadotte is also listed in the company's roster of designers.
International breakthrough:
Munich Olympic Games 1972
Following a lighting exhibition in Copenhagen in 1970, Anders Pehrson was invited to develop a lighting concept for the Olympic Village of the 1972 Summer Games in Munich. Ateljé Lyktan supplied 16,300 luminaires of the "Simris" series for the interior lighting of the village – to this day the largest single order in the company's history. This order marked the company's definitive international breakthrough.
Corporate affiliation since 1974: In 1974, Ateljé Lyktan was acquired by the Swedish lighting group Fagerhult Group. Even after the sale, Hans Bergström remained active as managing director, artistic director and marketing manager until the late 1970s. Today, Ateljé Lyktan is part of the "Collection" business area within the Fagerhult Group and operates as Ateljé Lyktan AB.
Significant awards and milestones:
1949: International debut with the presentation of its luminaires at the newly opened Bonnier's department store in New York. 1954: Gold medal at the X Triennale in Milan for the model 181 "Struten" by Hans Bergström. 1968: Presentation of the "Bumling" lamp at the lighting fair in Gothenburg. 1972: Major order for 16,300 luminaires for the Olympic Village in Munich. 1974: Acquisition by the Fagerhult Group. 2012: Red Dot Design Award for the "Quad" product. 2014: iF Product Design Award for the "Hood" product.
Product philosophy and current profile:
Ateljé Lyktan develops, designs and manufactures indoor and outdoor luminaires at its site in Åhus in southern Sweden. The company maintains an extensive archive of designs that helped shape 20th-century Swedish lighting design. Classics such as "Struten", "Bumling", "Simris", "Supertube", "Tube" and "Knubbling" are still produced today and are firmly established parts of Scandinavian design history. Current collections are created in collaboration with contemporary designers such as Matti Klenell and Mattias Stenberg, continuing the tradition of a reduced, functional and at the same time characterful Nordic design language.
Ateljé Lyktan: Original luminaires by Ateljé Lyktan such as the Simris Olympia 591, the 781B desk lamp, Supertube pendant lights or the rare Skarabé clamp lamp are regularly found in the range of Max's Vintage Art. Each piece is a verified original from the manufactory in Åhus.
Sources and references:
German-language sources
[1] NordicNest.de – Ateljé Lyktan brand
[2] NordicNest.de – Anders Pehrson designer profile
English-language sources
[3] ateljelyktan.se – History (official company chronicle, EN)
[4] ateljelyktan.se – Hans Bergström (official designer portrait)
[5] ateljelyktan.se – Designer Anders Pehrson (official)
[6] ateljelyktan.se – Discover / Archive (official)
[7] Fagerhult Group – Brand "Collection" (Ateljé Lyktan)
[8] Fagerhult Group – Timeline
[9] Architonic – Ateljé Lyktan brand profile
[10] Finnish Design Shop – Ateljé Lyktan
[11] Bukowskis Bukipedia – Hans Bergström
[12] Vintageinfo.be – Ateljé Lyktan catalogue 1934–2000
[13] Vintageinfo.be – Anders Pehrson Bumling Floor Lamp
[14] Scandinaviandesign.com – Mela NM & Pendant by Matti Klenell for Ateljé Lyktan
[15] Matti Klenell Studio – About (with Ateljé Lyktan as a client)
Swedish-language sources
[16] Swedish Wikipedia – Ateljé Lyktan
[17] Swedish Wikipedia – Hans Bergström (formgivare)
[18] Bizstories.se – "Ateljé Lyktan – mer än bara Bumling"
[19] LauritzBlogg Sverige – "Ateljé Lyktan – en svensk lampsuccé i strålkastarljuset"
[20] Åhus Sweden – Ateljé Lyktan membership entry
As of 29 June 2026: sources in German, English and Swedish evaluated