Stoff Nagel
A design classic from the 1960s: brass candle holders
Stoff Nagel Copenhagen is a Danish company that in 2012 relaunched an iconic design of the last century: the Stoff Nagel candle holder from the 1960s.
Everyday objects made from American brass cartridge cases
The story of the candle holder begins near Cologne in Germany shortly after the end of the Second World War. Cologne had been almost completely destroyed in the war, and many people left the surrounding villages because they saw no future in and around the city. The Nagel family stayed and made a living during this time: the four Nagel brothers collected empty American cartridge cases at night, and their father, a trained blacksmith, turned them into ashtrays, vases and candle holders, making a profit from the brass cases. It was probably also their father who encouraged all his sons to apply to the art academy in Cologne, continuing the Nagel family's creative streak. After studying art, one of the sons, Hans Nagel, decided to continue the family business with his father's designs.
A stackable three-legged candle holder
Twenty years after the end of the war, Hans Nagel met the architect and artist Werner Stoff in the Cologne design scene. In one of their many conversations, Nagel told the artist about an experience that had made a deep impression on him. On a skiing holiday in the Alps, a fall forced him to catch himself with his fingers. He could never forget the shape his three fingers left in the snow in perfect symmetry, and this gave rise to the idea of a candle holder for three slim taper candles. For Nagel, it was clear that Stoff should be the artist to bring his idea to life.
The Stoff Nagel candle holder, made of brass of course, was launched with great success in the late 1960s and made the Nagel family business famous around the world. The candle holder stands for an iconic design that is closely linked to the rubble of post-war Cologne. After the candle holder had disappeared from shops and people's minds for decades, the Danish company Just Right relaunched the iconic design using Hans Nagel and Werner Stoff's original drawings.
Which candles fit Stoff Nagel candle holders?
Candles for Stoff Nagel candle holders have a diameter of 1.3 cm. Standard taper candles have a diameter of 2.2 cm. So it makes sense to buy Stoff Nagel candles by Ester & Erik specifically. You'll find them here at Connox, for example.
