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, "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
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
Swedish Wooden "Skoga" Sofa in Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth Produced by NK, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare Swedish wooden sofa in pine by Axel Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s. In good original condition signed and numbered by NK. Dimensions: H: 85 cm / 33.45...
Pine
$44,085
H 44.1 in W 27.56 in D 34.65 in
Axel Einar Hjorth 'Lovö' armchair for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1935
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Axel Einar Hjorth stained pine 'Lovö' armchair for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1930s. The chair is in very fine condition with the original cushions upholstered with new fabric. Neck...
Fabric, Pine
$6,010
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
$77,983
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Sofa in Pine and Bouclé Attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Pine and Bouclé Attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s Additional Information: Material: Pine and bouclé Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian Sofa Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet...
Bouclé, Pine
$5,957
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
"Borgen" Easy Chair by Axel Einar Hjorth
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Borås, SE
"Borgen" Easy chair by Axel Einar Hjorth c. 1929. Upholstery, lacquered wood. NK manufacturers metal label ‘NK R 34433 – C 25648’. Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for the S...
Upholstery, Birch
$6,970
H 18.31 in W 20.48 in D 14.77 in
Swedish Grace Stool "Ceasar" by Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant stool by Axel Einar Hjorth, model called “Ceasar”. Made from painted wood with gilded decor. Seat upholstered with horsehair fabric.
Wood
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
$41,702 / 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 NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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
$59,575 / set
H 81 in W 52 in D 45 in
Midcentury "Lovö" dining or side chairs, Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of beautiful “Lovö” easy chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from solid pine in a striking, rustic design. Wrought iron details on the backrests. New seats modelled from the origi...
Pine
$65,532 / 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
$17,872
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
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
Sold
H 31.5 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Lovö Sofa in Pine and Original Upholstery by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Lovö Sofa in Pine and Original Upholstery by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1932 Additional Information: Material: Pine and fabric Style: Scandinavian Modern, Functionalism Lovö Sofa Produced b...
Fabric, Pine
Sold
H 31.3 in W 55.91 in D 18.12 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Sofa Model Utö Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model Utö designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Fabric, Pine
Sold
H 30.71 in W 52.37 in D 17.13 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, Pine Sofa "Utö", Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pine sofa, model "Utö", designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s.
Pine
Sold
H 30.71 in W 53.94 in D 17.72 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Sofa Model Utö by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model Utö designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Pine
Swedish Art Deco birch upholstered sofa Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Georg Ryman
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Swedish Art Deco sofa in birch with mohair upholstery. Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Georg Ryman of Stockholm's City Craftwork Associ...