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.
Ängby Side Chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, Rattan & Wood, Sweden, 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of lovely dining or side chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, model called “Ängby”. Swedish Modern lines with a touch of rococo. Made from wood, backs made with rattan, lacquered celado...
Wood, Lacquer
'Futurum' Side Chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, Black Lacquered Wood, 1928
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Black lacquered wood with woven leather. Measures: H 110 cm/ 3' 7 3/4" W 47.8 cm/ 18 3/4" D 44 cm/ 17 1/4" SH 44.7 cm/ 17 7/8" Literature Axel Einar Hjorth Möbelarkitekt, Bo...
Leather, Pine
$5,986
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 Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
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
Pair of Lovö Chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The beautiful Lovö Chair is an exceptionally treasured vintage find. Designed in the 1930s by Axel Einar Hjorth as part of his ‘Sportstugemöbler’ (weekend cottage or lodge furniture) collection for Nordiska Kompaniet, the models in the beloved Lovö series are regarded by many as Axel Einar Hjorth's masterpieces. Crafted for the weekend cottages that were gaining popularity in Sweden at the time, each series is lovingly named after a Swedish island. Crafted from solid stained pine, their rich cherry tone exudes a timeless appeal. The green and blue floral vintage cushions...
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
$41,903 / 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
Axel Einar Hjorth Lovö chairs
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Rare "Lovö" high back pine chair by Axel Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in 1930s. In the 1930s, Hjorth designed a furniture collection out of pine meant for serial prod...
Pine
$65,848 / 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 Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
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
$7,003
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
$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
A set of 8 Axel Einar Hjorth Utö chairs
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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
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
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.75 in D 17.75 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, "Utö" Side Chair, Pine, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in High Point, NC
A pine "Utö" side chair designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932.
Pine
Sold
H 37.75 in W 18.62 in D 21.25 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, Set of “Lovö” Chairs, Pine, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 4 pine “Lovö” chairs designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s.
Pine
Pair of "Lovö" side chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant “Lovö” dining chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from pine. Beautiful design with clean lines and contrasting rustic wood.
Pine
Side Chair by Axel Einar Hjorth, Nk, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant side chair by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from black lacquered wood with a rattan back. Black leather seat. Strict lines with curved details, beautiful contrast between dark and ...
Leather, Rattan, Birch
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.92 in D 18.51 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, "Utö" Side Chair, Solid Pine NK, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in High Point, NC
A side chair by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s. Stained solid pine. Other designers of the period include Kaare Klint, Charlotte Perriand, and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Pine
Sold
H 33.47 in W 18.31 in D 16.15 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, Pair of "Sandhamn" Side Chairs, Pine, Wrought Iron, 1931
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of side chairs by Swedish architect and designer, Axel Einar Hjorth, produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in the early 1930s. Named "Sandhamn", after the island in the Stockholm arc...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 37.6 in W 18.51 in D 19.3 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Set of Six "Lovö" Dining Chairs, Pine, Cast Iron, Fabric, 1932
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in High Point, NC
A set of six Lovö dining chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in the early 1930:s. Executed in pine and fortified by cast iro...
Iron
Sold
H 30.71 in W 18.12 in D 16.74 in
Pair of Side Chairs “Margareta” Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of side chairs “Margareta” designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1935. Lacquered steel, wood and horse hair. Measures: H 78 cm/ 2' 7 1/4'' D 42.5 cm/ 1' 5 1/4'' ...
Steel