Axel Einar Hjorth - Nordic Design London Wednesday, September 30, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Literature

    Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström and Eric Ericson, Axel Einar Hjorth: Möbelarkitekt, Stockholm, 2009, pp. 130-31

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Swedish department store Nordiska Kompaniet, founded in 1864, was considered the most prestigious and important producer of exclusive Swedish furniture. For over a decade Hjorth was the departmental head and during his period the furniture created formed part of historic, national and international exhibitions including: Barcelona, 1929; Stockholm, 1930; Dorland House, London, 1931; Chicago, 1933; Brussels, 1935 and Paris, 1937.

    Skilled carpenters would execute the furniture for Nordiska Kompaniet, which included the ability to work with exotic, expensive materials and master intricate works of inlay. In the spring of 1929, Hjorth exercised his creative freedom within Nordiska Kompaniet when designing for the ‘Sportstugemöbler’ series. This series was introduced as a store concept with the burgeoning culture of the fashionable holiday home becoming more popular due to the introduction of a national law that entitled employees to a fortnight’s annual holiday. The present lot Coffee table, from the 'Utö' series, encapsulates the sculptural element within the works intended for the ‘Sportstugemöbler’, combining traditional Swedish handicraft with international modernism.

270

Coffee table, from the 'Utö' series

circa 1932
Pine.
47.5 x 70.8 x 55 cm (18 3/4 x 27 7/8 x 21 5/8 in.)
Produced by AB Nordiska Kompaniet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Estimate
£12,000 - 15,000 

Sold for £11,250

Contact Specialist
Madalena Horta e Costa
Head of Sale
+44 20 7318 4019

Nordic Design

London Auction 1 October 2015