METROPOLITAN OPERA

An Original Crystal "Sputnik" from the First Met Opera Chandelier. Designed and fabricated by J. L. Lobmeyr, Vienna, and installed in the Met Opera at Lincoln Center in 1966. This "Sputnik" comprises about 50 crystals on short metal steel rods emerging from a wooden orb, overall 9 (H) x 9 (D) x 13 (L) inches. Accompanied by the Met Opera issued Certificate of Authenticity, nicely presented in a glass frame, and the purchase receipt from the original buyer. Some wear to the central orb, some rust to rods, some potential wear to crystals; Together with a fragment of the original Met Opera curtain, a rectangular fragment of thick gold patterned silk damask now sewn into a bag, 26 x 19 inches, and a portion of an original curtain tie, 36 inches in length.

This is a part of one of 12 sparking chandeliers installed in the Met Opera at Lincoln Center for its opening on 16 September 1966. The chandeliers were a gift of the Republic of Austria to the United States for helping restore Europe's economy with the creation of the Marshall Plan. The sputniks are meant to resemble exploding stars, and apparently, the designer and owner of Lobmeyr Crystal, Hans Harald Rath, designed the prototype by sticking toothpicks into a potato! A black and white photograph from the period shows Hans Harald Rath presenting a section of the Sputnik chandelier, similar to the present offering, to the U.S. Ambassador to Austria in Vienna in 1966. Lobmeyr also designed the wall lights, lamps, and a gift brooch for VIPs on opening night, which was no quiet affair. On that famous night in September 1966, a who's who of international socialites, celebrities, and politicians attended dressed to the nines, including Marylou Whitney's who wore a shimmering ruby and diamond tiara, Estée Lauder, who wore a gold-and-diamond crown, and Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda sat in a box with the first lady, Lady Bird Johnson.

The New York Times described the effect of the chandeliers on opening night as: "When they were brand new, the chandeliers looked like crystal constellations with sparkly moons and satellites spraying out in all directions. The chandeliers were an up-to-the-minute reminder that if the old Met, on the west side of Broadway between 39th and 40th Streets, had been a symbol of the Gilded Age, the new Met wanted to be a symbol of the space age."

The Sputnik chandeliers were lowered, dismantled, and sent to Vienna for refinishing in 2008, and all the crystals were replaced by Swarovski. At that time, certain sections were retained by the Met Opera for sale at auction or in the gift shop. This example was bought in the shop in 2010 for $2500. They were described on the Met Opera website as:

“The Met's starburst chandeliers are one of the best-loved features of the opera house. Dubbed 'Sputniks' after the Russian spacecraft, they were a gift to the Met from the Austrian government. When these chandeliers were replaced in 2008, we used the original Swarovski crystals to create these one-of-a-kind works of art that will display beautifully in your home or office. Each Sputnik ornament is handcrafted and unique. Please note that these are from the original 1966 installation and may include imperfections and wear expected from a vintage item. Each one is slightly different.”

While several examples were likely sold, we do not trace any others at auction. A wonderful opportunity to own a portion of one of the most famous mid-century designs, capturing the spirit of the space race and the goodwill between Europe and the United States in the prosperous and glamorous post-war period.

See:

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/nyregion/18chandelier.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jU8.ojav.AfE0hZk0Ko_O&smid=url-share

And:

https://www.1stdibs.com/introspective-magazine/lobmeyer/