“An object shall stand the wear of the eye!” proclaimed Swedish entrepreneur Sven Lundh (1925–2015), who took over operations at revered furniture company Källemo in 1971. For decades, the innovative brand has accomplished just that with a range of original and unconventional pieces that draw on — and regularly push the boundaries of — Scandinavian modern and postmodern design.
Based in Vänamo in southern Sweden, Källemo was originally established in 1947 before it was taken over by Lundh in 1971. Lundh’s vision for Källemo was to evolve the company and to create sustainable furniture that would be both functional and wholly sculptural. The interest in creating forward-looking seating, case pieces, tables and more that are as much furniture as they are art deepened for Lundh during the 1980s, when Swedish designers began to explore the ideas that underpin postmodernism in their work.
Lundh sought to secure long-term partnerships with modernist and postmodernist Swedish and European artists and designers such as Jonas Bohlin, the creator of the scandalous Concrete chair, which caught Lundh’s attention at Konstfack’s student exhibition in 1982. Bohlin’s minimalist armchair, featuring an angular steel frame and concrete seat and headrest, was meant to be presented as a sculpture, but it fit Lundh’s idea of “artistic furniture.” Källemo produced the Concrete chair as a limited-edition series, and it became one of the company’s best known pieces.
Over the years, Källemo has collaborated with Gustav Persson — designer of Källemo’s Bank bench — Mats Theselius, John Vedel-Rieper, Jens Harald Quistgaard, Gunnar Myrstrand and numerous other artists and designers to create its unique collection of furniture. In 1996, Lundh’s son Erik and daughter Karin took the helm at Källemo, which remains a family-owned firm. Today Källemo pieces are held in permanent museum collections throughout Sweden and Europe.
Find Källemo seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.
Cabinet “National Geographic” by Mats Theselius, Källemo, Sweden, 2015
By Mats Theselius, Källemo
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Striking display cabinet from Mats Theselius’s celebrated “National Geographic” series, produced by Källemo to mark the 25th anniversary of the design. The tall, vitrine form is wrap...
Brass
Midcentury Modern Cabinet by Eugen Höglund, Sweden, 1940s
By Eugen Höglund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant cabinet by Eugen Höglund, with elaborate decor on the doors and rounded sculpted legs. Made from mahogany with relief decor in a lighter nuance. The decor depicts animals, a ...
Mahogany
$4,063
H 74.41 in W 39.18 in D 15.36 in
Swedish Cabinet 'Ståndskåp' from Hälsingland, Sweden, late 1800s
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Cabinet 'Ståndskåp' from Hälsingland, Sweden, late 1800s Years of sun, wear, and neglect have transformed it into what it is today – a beautiful Swedish blue painted cabinet...
Pine
Swedish Designer, Cabinet, Birch, Burl, Brass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch, burl wood, wood inlay and brass cabinet designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1930s. Minor chipped veneer on bottom edge of top left door. Wear consistent with age and use. ...
Brass
1940's Swedish Cabinet
By Erik Mattsson 1
Located in Turners Falls, MA
1940’s Swedish Cabinet. Decorative inlay. 2 doors conceal adjustable shelves and 2 drawers. 2 lower drawers with scalloped fronts. Key included.
Beech
Chinoiserie Breakfront China Cabinet Bookcase Union National
By Union National
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Scale Union National Chinoiserie Breakfront China Cabinet Bookcase. Hand-painted and signed by artist. Union National was a prestigious high-end furniture company in Jamestown,...
Brass
Otto Schulz Cabinet Produced by Boet in Sweden
By Otto Schulz
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare cabinet designed by Otto Schulz. Produced by Boet in Sweden.
Brass
Swedish pine cabinet circa 1950.
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Swedish cabinet with 14 drawers made in solid pine. Typical Folk art all hand crafted, good original condition. thsi cabinet can be related to Axel einar hjorth style in sweden in th...
Pine
Swedish pine cabinet circa 1950
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Axel Einar Hjorth style small cabinet made in solide pine with three open drawers. The pine has been stained, no structural damage, good original patina and condition.
Pine
Cabinet by Ture Ryberg, 1940s Sweden.
By Ture Ryberg
Located in Allerum, SE
20th c, Swedish Modern cabinet by Ture Ryberg (1888 - 1961) in Jacaranda with brass inlays, superbly executed by carpenter Axel Bäck, Eksjö Furniture Factory. 1949 Sweden.
Brass
A Swedish Modern cabinet, Circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Modern two door mahogany cabinet, Circa 1950s, with a clean design of a slightly overhanging cornice molding above two flat cupboard doors, raised on squared tapered legs j...
Mahogany
Göran Malmvall cabinet, Sweden, 1950s
By Goran Malmvall
Located in Antwerpen, BE
A cabinet model 810, from the series Svensk Fur by Goran Malmvall for Karl Andersson & Soner. Pine, a pair of doors with underlying shelving and drawer fittings. Lock case and key mi...
Pine
Rare Swedish Pine Cabinet, 1930s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Swedish dark stained pine cabinet with beautiful patina. Produced in Sweden, late 1930s.
Pine
Sold
H 61.42 in W 45.28 in D 18.31 in
Mid-Century Oak Cabinet by Gunnar Myrstrand for Källemo, Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Myrstrand, Källemo
Located in Karis, Nyland
A cabinet in oak Gunnar Myrstrand for Källemo. Made in the 1960s in Sweden. The double doors are slightly bent. Behind there are shelves and inner drawers. Brass door pulls. Overal...
Brass
"Solitär" teak cabinet by John Kandell, Källemo, Sweden, 1981
By Källemo
Located in Hägersten, SE
Cabinet model "Solitär" designed by John Kandell. Produced in Sweden by Källemo. Designed in 1981, this example ca 1980s. Made from solid rough cut mahogany. The wooden latch on top ...
Brass
Midcentury Gunnar Myrstrand Bar Cube Table
By Sven Engström & Gunnar Myrstrand, Källemo, Gunnar Myrstrand
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this wonderful bar cube that can also be used as a side table or even a small coffee table. Featuring teak wood with a black lacquer...
Brass
Swedish 1960s Oak Cabinet by Gunnar Myrstrand
By Gunnar Myrstrand, Källemo
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare oak cabinet designed by Gunnar Myrstrand in the 1960s. Produced in Sweden by Källemo. With solid brass handles. Adjustable shelves. Slightly curved front. Signed. Good vintage c...
Brass