Swedish furniture designer Axel Einar Hjorth created tables, chairs, cabinets and other pieces that were as elegant as they were functional, and he frequently worked in references to a litany of inspirations including French Art Deco, Gustavian style and modernism. Ahead of his time, his style was refined and daringly simple.
Born in Krokek, Sweden, Hjorth grew up in a foster family and at 20 moved to Stockholm where he studied architecture and design at the Högre Konstindustriella Skolan (now the University of Arts, Crafts & Design). Although he dropped out when his foster father died, he went on to work for some of the largest furniture manufacturers in Sweden during the 1920s.
Hjorth’s work was featured in the 1923 Gothenburg Exhibition world’s fair, and he exhibited a birch and cherry cabinet in the 1927 “Swedish Contemporary Decorative Arts” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His role as the head of the furniture department at Nordiska Kompaniet (NK), an upscale department store in Stockholm, from 1927 to 1938, further brought his designs to widespread acclaim, including pieces exhibited at the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition.
At the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition, an influential event in the emergence of functionalism in Swedish design, Hjorth exhibited a dozen room settings that featured examples of sportstugemöbler. These furniture lines were named for islands in Sweden’s archipelago — Utö, Blidö and Torö — with designs intended for cabins and vacation homes. The use of solid Swedish pine in these pieces revealed a love of traditional rustic furniture while the simple forms boldly looked to the future. He also brought his eclectic influences to armchairs formed from tubular metal, blocky case pieces made from birch and upholstered sofas with neoclassical details, each exuberantly mixing form and function.
Find vintage Axel Einar Hjorth furniture today on 1stDibs.
Dressing table with mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth of NK
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dressing table with mirror designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, circa 1930s. Two-tone stained birch veneer finish and nickel plated hardware. The original mi...
Birch
Axel Einar Hjorth Mirror Model Typenko Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare mirror with shelf model Typenko designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Birch
Axel Einar Hjorth Mirror Model Record Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare mirror model Record designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Steel
Mirror ‘Record’ designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mirror ‘Record’ designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s. Brushed steel and mirrored glass. Stamped. Diameter: 90 cm Depth: 3 cm From 1927 to 1938, Axel-Einar Hjorth was the chief architect and designer at the department store Nordiska Kompaniet in Stockholm—which was known as one of the most important producers of modernist furniture in Sweden. During this time, Hjorth designed both public and private interiors and worked with international clients including Iranian royalty. His first project for NK was a stand for the World Fair in Barcelona in 1929, during which he exhibited the Louis Cabinet...
Steel
Oversized Modernist "Record" Wall Mirror, Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant wall mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth, from the furniture line “Record”. Large size in a clean round form with sober chrome-plated brass details.
Chrome
$1,322
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 2.76 in
Wall Mirror Model S-1391, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Ab Åhus, Sweden, 1960s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Wall mirror model S-1391, design Hans-Agne Jakobsson, manufactured by AB Åhus, Sweden, 1960s. Teak and painted metal adjustable wall mount. The mirror can be turned to different angl...
Metal
Table Mirror by David Rosén for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1960s
By David Rosén
Located in Soho, London, GB
Designed in the 1960s by David Rosén for high-end department stores Nordiska Kompaniet. This mirror has very generous proportions and adjustable height that can vary from 48cm to 6...
Brass
$1,443Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 28.75 in D 1.19 in
Art/Design Mirror by Eugenio Carmi for Acerbis 1980's
By Acerbis, Eugenio Carmi
Located in Milano, IT
Art Mirror - Decorative Mirror - Designer Mirror - Made in Italy 1980's Decorative geometric wall mirror by Italian artist Eugenio Carmi for furniture brand Acerbis. Designed in the...
Mirror, Wood
French Art Deco dressing table, circa 1930.
Located in Chorzów, PL
This elegant Art Déco walnut dressing table captivates with its harmonious form and refined finish. Its distinctive semicircular design features a large, round mirror, which serves a...
Glass, Walnut
$3,495Sale Price / set|55% Off
H 15 in W 16 in D 43 in
Poul Jensen and L. Hjorth Low Table and Tiled Mirror
By Lauritz Adolph Hjorth, Poul Thorsbjerg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful 1950s Poul Jensen rosewood low table and mirror with inlaid L. Hjorth tiles. The low table has three drawers. Signed. The mirror is 51" H x 29.5" W x1.5" D.
Rosewood, Pottery, Mirror
$1,977Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 22 in W 20 in D 2 in
Early 19th Century Rustic Giltwood Mirrors, Hand-Carved, Italy, Pair
Located in Malibu, CA
Early 19th Century rustic giltwood antique Italian mirrors: a pair Hand carved giltwood surrounds the mirror in mosaic with small, embedded mirror & elaborate carving.
Giltwood, Mirror
$1,154Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.68 in W 1.19 in D 13.23 in
Swedish grace Art Deco 1930s silver Mirror, in the Vibe of Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
Cute silver painted Swedish grace Art Deco mirror. Showing traces of time and use but with a nice patina. Little hook to hang it to the wall. Perfect to fit in narrow places. Son patronyme officiel, Swedish Grace - " la grâce...
Mirror, Hardwood
1930s Swedish Modern Pewter Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Small square shaped vintage Swedish Modern Pewter Mirror with decorative organic flower and leaf decoration around the border. Hanging on the sid...
Pewter
Scandinavian Modern Wall Mirror, Stjärnmetall ca 1930s
Located in Örebro, SE
Rare and absolutely beautiful Scandinavian Modern wall mirror by Stjärnmetall, ca 1930s. Frame depicting music playing and dancing figures. Original foxed mirror. Wear and patina co...
Metal
$796Sale Price|20% Off
H 54.5 in W 36.5 in D 3 in
French Louis XV Style Trumeau Mirror with Oil Painting of Pasture Scene
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XV style trumeau mirror combines the elegance of neoclassical design with the warmth of pastoral art. The mirror features a rectangular frame with refined...
Mirror, Wood
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Pewter, Mirror, Sweden c. 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pewter mirror designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1940s.
Pewter
Wall Mirror in Solid Pine by Glasmäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1960s
By Glasmäster, Roland Wilhelmsson
Located in Odense, DK
Large Round wall mirror in solid pine by Glasmäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1960. Labeled on the backside. The pine frame has a warm and natural finish, with the natural wood grain and kno...
Pine
Mirror Model 'Record' designed by Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden, 1930
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mirror model “record” designed by Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden, 1930. Brushed steel and mirrored glass. Dimensions: W: 90 cm D: 3 cm
Steel
Mirror Designed by Axel-Einar Hjorth, Sweden, 1940’s
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oak and mirrored glass. Very rare design. Measures: H: 127 cm/ W: 72.5 cm/ D: 7 cm/.
Oak
Dressing Table and Swivel Mirror by Axel Einal Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Dressing table and swivel mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, ca. 1940. Mirror is finished on back with darkened birch that swivels 360 degre...
Nickel
Axel Einar Hjorth "Cecil" Mirror, Swedish Grace, 1920s
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Skanninge, SE
A very stylish Swedish Grace mirror. Designed by the Swedish icon Axel Einar Hjorth (1888-1959) for Svenska Möbel Fabrikerna i Bodafors. Made in birch. With the original mirror ...
Glass, Birch
Sold
H 44.5 in W 19 in D 1.5 in
Scandinavian Modern, Art Deco Mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Stockholm
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian Modern, elegant Swedish Art Deco mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) Stockholm circa 1920s. The frame is stained and polished birch with a stylized c...
Wood
Mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Swedish Grace "Cecil" wall mirror, designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Svenska Möbelfabrikerna Bodafors, Sweden, 1920s-1930s. Frame in polished birch, marked SMF, height 99 cm, widt...
Glass
Sold
H 44.3 in W 15.16 in L 44.3 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, Rare Mirror, Stained Birch, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1927
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in High Point, NC
A rare mirror, model "Coolidge" designed by Axel Einar Hjorth in 1927, his very first year as the head furniture designer at Nordiska Kompaniet. The mirror blends a functionalist exp...
Mirror, Birch
Mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mirror designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Bodafors, Model "Cecil" Sweden, Circa 1920th. Similar example at the book Axel Einar Hjorth Mobel Arkitekt, by Cnristian Bjork, Thomas Ekstrom...
Swedish Art Deco mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Stockholm
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Swedish Art Deco mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) Stockholm circa 1920's. The frame is stained and polished birc...
Sold
H 62.5 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Rare Axel Einar Hjorth Swedish Art Deco "Abo" Mirror from Nordiska Kompaniet
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Very rare Swedish Art Deco "Åbo" mirror designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and made by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1929-1930, Stockholm. Original red "crackle" lacquered finish with parcel-gilt G...
Wood
Mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden ca. 1940
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Mirror in birch y Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden ca. 1940. 38.25"H x 15.75"W x 1.5"D
Birch, Mirror
Sold
H 52 in W 18 in D 1.5 in
Pair of Scandinavian Modern, Art Deco Giltwood Mirrors by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Scandinavian Modern, Swedish Art Deco mirrors by Axel Einar Hjorth, for Bodafors circa 1923. The wood framed mirrors are finished in gold leaf and feature carved deta...
Glass, Giltwood