Pewter Candleholders by Anna Petrus for Herman Bergman, 1920s, Set of 2

This pair of stunning pewter candlesticks by Anna Petrus was designed in the period between 1925 and 1927. The candleholders sit on the heads of Petrus’ signature lions with expressive faces and flutes in their paws. The wide bases are decorated with a classic meander pattern.


Anna Petrus was one of the earliest and most prominent revivers of using pewter in industrial design and her contribution made a big mark. She worked with the firms Herman Bergman’s Konsgjuteri and Svenskt Tenn during the 1920s, creating her iconic sculptural lion designs, many of which are produced by Svenskt Tenn to this day. During this period she was also commissioned several prestigious decorating assignments in collaboration with the architect Carl Bergsten, among others. She withdrew from the design scene in 1930, perhaps due to the emergence of functionalism, that had less room for her dynamic style. However, her artistry has prevailed and is now as highly acclaimed as ever.