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.
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Axel Einar Hjorth "Skoga". Wooden Bench in Pine by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early Swedish mid century wooden bench in pine model "Skoga" by Axel Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm 1932. In good original condition. Dimension...
Pine
1930s Utö Sofa by Axel Einar Hjorth – Nordic Pine Bench for NK, Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sofa ‘Utö’ designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s. Stained pine. Provenance: From a private Swedish collection. Original cushion. 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...
Pine
$5,982
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 15.95 in
Axel Einar Hjorth - Utö Dining Chair - produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Axel Einar Hjorth “Utö” Dining Chairs - price per piece (5pcs in total avaible). These chairs, part of the Utö expo designed by Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden. T...
Wood, Pine
Pair of "Lovö" Chairs by Axel Einar-Hjorth, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of low back 'Lovö' chairs by Axel-Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s. Very good condition, new cushions.
Pine
Lovö Chairs Axel Einar Hjorth Pine Wood, 1940
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Vienna, AT
Two pairs of “Lovö” easy chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, executed in solid pine and defined by a robust, deliberately rustic character. The expressive construction is complemented by wr...
Pine
Axel Einar Hjorth, "Wärmdö" Sofa, Pine, Shearling, Sweden, 1937
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained pine and shearling "Wärmdö" sofa designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1937. Seat Height (inches): 17.25” Arm Height (inches): 24...
Sheepskin, Pine
$41,880 / set
H 32.29 in W 20.48 in D 24.41 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Lovö Rocking Chairs in Pine Wood by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare pair of Axel Einar Hjorth "Lovö" rocking chairs in pine wood produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Sweden, 1930s. In good original and matching condition. Dimensions: H: 82 cm /...
Pine
$7,000
H 18.31 in W 20.48 in D 14.77 in
Swedish Grace Stool "Ceasar" by Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant stool by Axel Einar Hjorth, model called “Ceasar”. Made from painted wood with gilded decor. Seat upholstered with horsehair fabric.
Wood
A set of 8 Axel Einar Hjorth Utö chairs
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Utö/Uto pine chair by Axel-Einar Hjorth, Sweden, circa 1933. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet. A set of 2 in total. Purchased for a sports cabin on the Kulla Peninsula, Skåne. A chair marked with an inscription in pencil “36270" which is the drawing number for the article “Utö chair...
Pine
$65,812 / set
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Swedish Wooden Lovö Armchairs in Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare pair of Swedish wooden low back armchairs in stained pine model "Lovö" by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm in Sweden, 1930s. In good original condition an...
Iron
$56,500
H 32.09 in W 30.32 in D 36.03 in
Rare Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet 'Typenko' Lounge Chair
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, lounge chair from the 'Typenko' series, model '36100', reupholstered in wool “Tyrone Rouge” by Pierre Frey, and suede, nickel-plated brass, ...
Steel, Nickel
$106,000
H 34.26 in W 78.94 in D 29.93 in
Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet 'Lovö' Sofa in Solid Pine and Wool
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 'Lovö' sofas, model '36290', solid pine, reupholstered in “Nestor” (wool, mohair, alpaca mix) by Pierre Frey, Sweden, design 1932, made 1930...
Wool, Pine
Axel Einar Hjorth "Skoga" Stools
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of oiled pine stools designed by Axel Einnar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, model "Skoga". Sweden, circa 1930th. Wear consistent with age and use, some trace of repair. Read...
Pine
$5,982
H 31.5 in W 18.12 in D 17.33 in
Single Swedish Wooden "Utö" Dining Chair in Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Swedish single wooden "Utö" dining / office chair in pine by Axe Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm, 1930s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 80 cm...
Pine
Axel Einar Hjorth "Utö" Bench, Sweden ca 1935
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “Utö” bench is from the Swedish designer, Axel Einar Hjorth’s Sportstugemöble furniture line. This bench has a rather simple, yet well-thought out design. The frame is made of pine, mixing the aesthetics of rural, traditional handcraft with international modernism. Produced by AB Nordiska Kompaniet, this bench belongs to Hjorth's line of modernistic cabin furniture from the 1930's. The seat of the bench is thick and robust, with an oval shaped pine board, assuring sturdiness and stability. The symmetrically carved back with a gap in the middle offers comfort and functionality. The four tapered legs of the bench follow the shape of the backrests on both sides, accentuating the geometrical aspect, and highlighting the symmetry of this piece. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions: 54.92 in W x 18.7 in D x 31.3 in H ; Seat height 15.55 in 139.5 cm W x 47.5 cm D x 79.5 cm H; Seat height 39.5 cm Literature: Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström...
Pine
Sold
H 25.6 in W 82.68 in D 17.92 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Bench Model Skoga Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare bench model Skoga designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Pine
Axel Einar Hjorth Utö Bench, Sweden, circa 1935
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Utrecht, NL
The ‘Utö’ bench from Axel Hjorth Sportstugemöble furniture line consists of a simple composition made of pine that mixes the aesthetics of rural handicraft w...
Pine
Skoga Bench, Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Acid stained pine.
Pine
Sold
H 17.72 in W 81.89 in D 17.72 in
Axel Einar Hjorth "Skoga" Demountable Bench, Pine, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1932
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in High Point, NC
A purely modern, demountable bench designed by Axel Einar Hjorth in 1932. Manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden. Executed in Swedish pine.
Pine