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Svenskt Tenn Seating

Today, the name Svenskt Tenn is associated around the world with the vibrant, modernist textiles and furniture of Josef Frank, who was the Swedish company’s chief designer in the mid-20th century. But the term “svenskt tenn” actually means “Swedish pewter,” and the very first goods the company sold were stylish pewter objects, such as an elegant 1927 candelabra found in the collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum, or a sleek, understated mirror in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts. These pieces were designed to appeal to discerning but price-conscious shoppers in 1920s-era Stockholm.

Art teacher and interior designer Estrid Ericson (1894–1981) partnered with pewter artisan Nils Fougstedt (1881–1954) to establish Svenskt Tenn in 1924, and their creations quickly gained a reputation for high quality and affordability, winning a gold medal at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925 — the design fair that brought global attention to the Art Deco style.

The experience of renovating her own apartment in the 1920s exposed Ericson to Swedish functionalism — or funkis, as it was known in Sweden — a branch of modernism that advocated uncomplicated forms, subdued colors and utility. She was inspired to open an interior design department at Svenskt Tenn, and in 1930 the firm introduced its first line of furniture.

Selections included items produced by the companies Gemla and Bodafors, as well as original designs by Ericson and the architects Uno Åhrén and Björn Trägårdh, who had worked together on the redesign and expansion of the showroom. The trio’s furniture was displayed at Stockholm’s Galleri Modern in 1931, where it was met with praise from critic Gotthard Johansson, a leading proponent of Swedish functionalism. Johansson admired the “pure lines” and “modern austerity” of the furniture, establishing Svenskt Tenn as an important voice in Swedish design.

But the signature partnership that would come to define the look of Svenskt Tenn was in part the result of political turmoil and the emergence of Nazism in Europe. When Josef Frank fled Vienna for Stockholm in 1933, he was already an accomplished architect who questioned modernist orthodoxy in design. He disliked tubular steel furniture and believed that monochromatic surfaces were distressing to viewers, while pattern and ornament gave interiors a sense of warmth and calm. Ericson was an admirer of Frank’s work, and offered him the chance to design products for Svenskt Tenn. Their professional partnership, particularly in textile design, would eventually become one of the hallmarks of Swedish modernism.

Frank and Ericson collaborated from 1934 until Frank’s death in 1967, with Frank creating unmistakable, bold designs and Ericson employing her flair for interiors, merchandising and display. The pair called their shared approach “Accidentism” or “The Happy Chances Philosophy,” mixing and matching the new and antique, the serious with the playful and pattern with solid colors to find eclectic new combinations in their showroom.

Frank’s textiles are like a visual catalogue of exotic plants and flowers, geological formations and maps, inspired in part by Ericson’s world travels and by Frank’s love of folk art. Svenskt Tenn continues to sell fabric, wallpaper and household goods, many of which sport variations of Frank's signature botanical motifs. Antique and vintage Svenskt Tenn pewter, lighting, furniture, textiles and decorative objects are generally priced anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 depending on scale and condition.

The tenets of Scandinavian modernism are as fresh and relevant now as they were in the 1950s — light-filled and airy rooms with white walls are perfect settings for comfortable furniture upholstered in one of Josef Frank’s indelible patterns, and nearly a century since its founding, the signature aesthetic of Svenskt Tenn remains as distinctive and timeless as ever.

Find antique and vintage Svenskt Tenn mirrors, seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Svenskt Tenn
Josef Frank, Stool, Mahogany, Brass, Leather, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany, green-dyed leather and brass stool designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 17” H x 19” W x 12.5” D Seat Height: 16.5"
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Brass

Modernist Mahogany and Horsehair Dining Chairs, Josef Frank, Sweden, 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of ten dining chairs by Josef Frank, model #815, made from mahogany. Elegant, ribbed backs. Decor of brass nails around the corners of the seats. Original seats made from woven ...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Josef Frank, Stool or Bench, Mahogany, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany stool or bench designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s.
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Modern Leather Stools, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of elegant stools by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with elegantly sculpted feet. Cognac brown leather with decorative nails around the joinery of the legs.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Josef Frank & SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful bench by Josef Frank, for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1960s. The frame is made of mahogany, upholstered seat with brass nails. The feet are elegantly sculpted and the bench can also be used as a table, end of bed stool...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Midcentury Modern "Captain's Chair" by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
“Captain’s Chair”, model #789A, by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with decorative brass nails and leather back and seat.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

Josef Frank Side Chair Easy Chair Model 2067 for Svenskt Tenn circa 1948 Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Frank side chair or easy chair model no. 2067 from walnut and fabric for Svenskt Tenn 1947, Sweden. A fabulous side chair or easy chair designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Ten...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

20th Century Swedish Vintage Svenskt Tenn Pair of Beech Armchairs by Josef Frank
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Swedish Art Deco pair of armchairs made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in good condition. The set of two Scandinavian dining room chairs have a slightly reclined backrest which is enhanced by a rattan pattern. The slim arched armrests are partly upholstered and the seat cushions are particularized by bonze nailheads. The chairs are standing on four wooden legs. Model Nr. 969. Newly upholstered in a white-grey cotton velour. Wear consistent with age and use. Dated 1939, Stockholm, Sweden, Scandinavia. Seat: 19" H x 21.5" W x 19" D Josef Frank was born in 1885, in Baden, Austria and passed away in 1967, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was an architect, artist, and designer. Frank studied architecture at the Vienna University of Technology and was a founding member of the Vienna Werkbund. Frank was considered one of the most prestigious designers in the Stockholm design company Svenskt Tenn. Svenskt Tenn is a Swedish interior design store founded in 1924, in Stockholm, Sweden by a Swedish teacher and pewter artist Estrid Ericson. In the early time, Svenskt Tenn was appointed as a royal warrant. Later on, Ericson and the pewter artist Nils Fougstedt produced modern pewter objects. In 1925, the Svenskt Tenn won a Gold Medal at the 1925 Exposition...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech

Midcentury Modern Mahogany and Leather Dining Chairs, Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of eight dining chairs by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with green leather seats. Elegant slender lines with tall, ribbed backs. Decor of brass nails around the corners of the ...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Midcentury Modern Leather Ottoman, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ottoman by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with elegantly sculpted legs. Original black leather upholstery with patina, decorative brass nails around the edge of the seat.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Scandinavian 1950s footstool with Frank fabric
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage footstool with wooden frame and wheels, covered with original floral fabric signed Josef Frank. Scandinavian footstool from the 1950s with solid wood frame and turned legs o...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Fabric, Teak

A Pair of Josef Frank Model 354 Chairs
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Model 354 lounge chairs designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Each chair has a sculpted solid mahogany frame with a gently angled back and curved legs. The front legs a...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

Materials

Mahogany

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Previously Available Items
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Josef Frank, armchair model 695, Svenskt Tenn, 1970s
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Josef Frank, chair model 695, Svenskt Tenn, 1970s
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Semi early production of Josef Frank chair, model 695 produced by Svenskt Tenn. Frank came to Sweden from Austria in the early 1930s and was employed by Svenskt Tenn in 1934 so this ...
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Midcentury stool by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
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Josef Frank easy chair 891 for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Forserum, SE
Easy chair 891 designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn in 1937. Made from solid mahogany, reupholstered in a striking zebra-striped textile. The Austrian architect Josef Frank...
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1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Svenskt Tenn Seating

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Josef Frank stool model 972 by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Forserum, SE
Stool model 972, a 1940 design by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Crafted from solid mahogany, it features rich red leather upholstery and decorative brass rivets along the sides...
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Josef Frank stool model 972 by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
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Located in Forserum, SE
Stool model 972, a 1940 design by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Crafted from solid mahogany, it features rich red leather upholstery and decorative brass rivets along the sides...
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Josef Frank stool model 1063 by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
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Located in Forserum, SE
Stool model 1063, designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Crafted from solid walnut and adorned with red leather upholstery, it features decorative brass rivets encircling th...
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Josef Frank stool model 1034 by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
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Stool model 1034, designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Its versatile design makes it suitable for use as both a stool and a low organic side table. Crafted from solid maho...
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Josef Frank stool model 2009 by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
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Josef Frank, Sofa, Fabric, Mahogany, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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An earl mahogany and floral fabric sofa, Model 703, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s. Seat height: 17.5”
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Svenskt Tenn seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Svenskt Tenn seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Svenskt Tenn seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Svenskt Tenn were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Torsten Claeson, Folke Bensow, and Ingvar Stockum. Prices for Svenskt Tenn seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,843 and can go as high as $25,283, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,200.

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