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.
Axel Einar Hjorth, 1920s Charles oak chairs for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Axel Einar Hjorth's 1920s "Charles" chairs for Nordiska Kompaniet exemplify early 20th century craftsmanship with a refined baroque style, perfectly balancing ornate detail and funct...
Cane, Oak
Ängby Side Chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, Rattan & Wood, Sweden, 1932
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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 NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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
Axel Einar Hjorth, "Wärmdö" Sofa, Pine, Shearling, Sweden, 1937
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
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
$42,403
H 31.11 in W 54.73 in D 17.33 in
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
$25,556
H 28.75 in W 66.34 in D 26.78 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Velvet Sofa, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sofa designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s. Velvet Upholstery. Dimensions: H: 73 cm / 2' 4 3/4'' W: 168.5 cm / 5' 6 1/4'' D: 68 cm / 2' 2 3/4'' Depth of the corner side: 136 cm / 4' 5 1/2'' SH: 43 cm / 17'' Provenance: Fredrik Anderzon who was the manager of the brewery Nässjö Bryggeri commissioned a modernist summerhouse in 1936 and this sofa formed part of the interior. Literature: A high back chair that matches this model, Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström...
Upholstery, Velvet
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
David Rosèn Futura Chairs for Nordiska Kompaniet
By David Rosén, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Vienna, AT
David Rose`n chairs "Futura" designed in the 1950s for Nordiska Kompaniet. Cherrywood, upholstered seat. New upholstery on request possible.
Cherry
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
$5,808
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
$15,509
H 32.29 in W 16.54 in D 17.33 in
Four ‘Corall’ chairs designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1937
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of four chair model ‘Corall’ designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1937 Birch, rattan, upholstered velvet seat. Labeled. This set of four ‘Corall’ chai...
Velvet, Rattan, Birch
$22,000
H 28.75 in W 24.81 in D 25.99 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, Typenco Club Chairs, Fabric, Birch, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1932
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of beige fabric and birch "Typenco" club chairs designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932. Seat Height (inches): 17.25" Arm Height (inc...
Fabric, Birch
$17,425
H 32.29 in W 20.48 in D 24.41 in
Axel Einar Hjorth "Lovö" Rocking Chair in Pine by Nordiska Kompaniet Sweden 1930
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early Swedish mid century modern wooden rocking chair model "Lovö" in stained pine by Axel Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1932. In good original condition...
Sheepskin, Pine
$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 Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
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
$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 NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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
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 NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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 NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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