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.
Utö Library Table by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Rare and authentic Utö library table designed by Axel Einar Hjorth, manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932. Wear consistent with age and use, including surface scratches, m...
Pine
"Lovö" Dining Table by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovö” dining table by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from solid pine in a clean, rustic design. Beautiful woodgrain. “Lovö” is one of the series of furniture included in NK:s “Sporstugemöb...
Pine
Library / Console Table in Acid-Stained Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Library / Console Table in Acid-Stained Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1932 Additional Information: Material: Acid-stained pine Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Very rare library / cons...
Pine
"Utö" Console Table, Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Utö” console table, made in pine by Axel Einar Hjorth. An iconic early modernist design. “Utö” is one of the series of furniture included in NK:s “Sporstugemöbler”, “sports cabin’s...
Pine
Modernist "Utö" stools by Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of “Utö” stools by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from pine. Rustic design, decorative spheres on the seats. “Utö” is one of the series of furniture included in NK:s “Sporstugemöbler”...
Pine
Modernist "Sport" Console table by Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant console table by Axel Einar Hjorth from the “Sport” series, in a rustic design made in stained pine. Beautiful proportions. “Sport” is one of the series of furniture include...
Pine
Axel Einar Hjorth Console Table (Swedish, 1888-1959)
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in London, GB
Axel Einar Hjorth Console Table — Bertil Series, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1934 Sweden, Macassar Ebony Veneer, with Original NK Plaque This rare console table was designed by Axel Einar ...
Birch, Macassar
Axel Einar Hjorth Console Table Model Louis Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare console table model Louis designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Ebony
Functionalist Console Table, Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant console table by Axel Einar Hjorth, in a sleek, functionalist design. Wooden table top lacquered black, cylinder formed steel legs. “Utö” is one of the series of furniture i...
Steel
Pair of "Ängby" Bedside Tables by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of lovely bedside tables by Axel Einar Hjorth, model called “Ängby”. Swedish Modern lines with a touch of rococo. Made from wood, lacquered celadon green.
Wood, Lacquer
$2,800
H 29.53 in W 58.47 in D 35.44 in
Axel Einar Hjorth, Dining Table in Birch, Swedish Grace, Bodafors, 1930s
By Bodafors, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Odense, DK
An extravagant Swedish Grace dining table from the early 20th century, crafted in dark birch veneer with finely carved details. The table features a richly decorated apron and legs w...
Birch
$22,103
H 24.81 in Dm 31.11 in
Wooden Lovö Side Table in Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet 1940
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare wooden sculptural side occasional table in pine model "Lovö" by Axel Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm, 1940s. In good original condition. Stable. Dim...
Pine
$77,661
H 18.9 in W 27.96 in D 22.05 in
An Authentic Utö table by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A rare and authentic version of the iconic Utö table designer Axel Einar Hjorth, manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1932. This particular Utö represents one of the rarer and...
Pine
$4,683Sale Price|31% Off
H 30.71 in W 74.41 in D 21.66 in
Axel Einar Hjorth manner Console / Library Table, solid Pine, Sweden 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Ystad, SE
Console / Library Table in the Manner of Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden, 1930s A refined and minimalistic Swedish console or library table, executed in solid pine by a Swedish cabinetmak...
Pine
$2,748Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 51.19 in D 29.93 in
Dining table in solid pine in the style of Axel Einar Hjorth and Göran Malmvall
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Ystad, SE
Solid Pine Dining Table in the Style of Axel Einar Hjorth and Göran Malmvall, Sweden, 1940s A characterful dining table crafted in solid pine, executed in the distinctive rustic mod...
Pine
"Utö" table by Axel Einar Hjorth fro NK
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Long Island City, NY
The "Utö" table designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, in 1932. Sweden. Stained pine, light scratches. Featured in the book " Axel Einar Hjorth Mobel Arkitekt".
Pine
$22,431
H 29.93 in W 68.9 in D 25.6 in
"Corall" Dining Table/Desk, Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant 1930s library / dining table or desk by Axel Einar Hjorth, from the “Corall” series. Clean, compact lines. Made from birch with darker wood inlays and details.
Birch
Early and important Utö table designed by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Early and important Utö table designed by Axel Einar Hjorth, manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1932. Stained pine . The table top have bawls-like shape, and no rim on apron ...
Pine
$34,051
H 28.75 in W 70.87 in D 29.14 in
Axel Einar Hjorth "Lovö" Dining Table in Pine by Nordiska Kompaniet Sweden 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and early Swedish mid century modern wooden dining table model "Lovö" in stained pine designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Sweden, 1932. In go...
Pine
$23,059
H 29.53 in W 51.58 in D 29.53 in
Axel Einar Hjorth - Lovö Table, Pine - Nordiska Kompaniet - Mid Century Modern
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Special edition of the Lovö table - Nordiska Kompaniet, attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth. The table was used in a Restaurant furnished by Nordiska Kompaniet in the 1930s, together wit...
Pine
$38,830
H 27.56 in W 70.87 in D 23.63 in
Axel Einar Hjorth 'Skoga' Table in Pine Wood, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare table was designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden. It is part of the Skoga series, created by Hjorth in 1932. Crafted from solid pi...
Pine
Sold
H 29.14 in W 66.93 in D 21.66 in
"Utö" Dining or Console Table, Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Iconic “Utö” dining table by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from solid pine in a striking, rustic design with beautiful woodgrain. “Utö” is one of the series of furniture included in NK:s ...
Pine
Axel Einar Hjorth Sibylla entrance table 1930’s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Valby, 84
Rare and important vanity/entrance piece by Swedish designer Axel Einar Hjorth from the Sibylla series designed in 1933, this specific piece was manufactured in the middle of the 193...
Pine
Sold
H 28.5 in W 38 in D 24 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Swedish Grace Mahogany Console Center Table for NK, Stockholm
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
A stunning Axel Einar Hjorth Swedish Grace period (1920- 30) solid mahogany console or center table with carved and parcel gilt Caryatid heads and claw feet. The top is veneered with...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 28.55 in W 70.08 in D 29.14 in
"Lovö" Dining Table by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Lovö” dining table by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from solid pine in a clean, rustic design. Stained darker brown.
Pine
Mirror and Console Table by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant console table and mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth. Both beautifully executed in dark mahogany, with several decorative details. Size: Height console 71 cm, mirror 99 cm, width console 65 cm, mirror 40 cm, depth console 34...
Mahogany
Sold
H 21.66 in W 49.22 in D 21.66 in
Table, “Sandhamn” Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1929
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pine. Literature: Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström & Eric Ericson, Axel Einar Hjorth - Furniture Architect, 2009, compare model depicted p. 129.
Pine
Sold
H 28.75 in W 43.12 in D 23.23 in
Table ‘Typenko’ Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1931
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lacquered oak and stainless steel.
Oak
Pine "Lovo" Table by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pine "Lovo" table by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet A rectangular Swedish pine table by Axel Einar Hjorth with plank top, a stretcher with pegs, and a circular cut-out on ...
Pine
"Uto" Console Table by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in San Francisco, CA
A "Uto” console table in stained pined by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, circa 1930s.
Pine
Console Tables Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
"Sandhamn", Console tables in solid pine designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1932 Unique. Provenance: Specially made for Café Brostugan, Drottningholm, Sweden.
Pine
Table by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Sandhamn table by Axel Einar Hjorth Sweden, 1929 Beautiful patinated finish 78"L x 24"W x 29"H
Wood