Bünte & Remmler

Bünte & Remmler (BUR) was a notable German lighting manufacturer founded in 1880 when Victor Bünte took over a petroleum lamp branch in Frankfurt. He later partnered with Franz Remmler in 1884. Originally focusing on kerosene and gas lamps, the company grew to become one of Germany’s leading light producers by the First World War.
 
During the 1920s and 1930s, BUR became renowned for its handcrafted Bauhaus-style lighting, collaborating with designers like Christian Dell, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Wolfgang Tümpel, and Ferdinand Kramer. Their signature pieces—crafted with care and precision—featured hand-sanded metalwork, elegant brass finishes, and sewn lampshades. Many of these designs are now considered design classics.
 
Despite wartime disruptions, Bünte & Remmler resumed production post-WWII, expanding into commercial signage and flush-mounted fixtures for public spaces such as cinemas and restaurants. Their operation continued until the company was sold in 1962, with manufacturing in Frankfurt ending around 1971. Although the brand is no longer active, their mid-century lighting remains highly collectible and celebrated for its craftsmanship and design heritage.