The ‘Utö’ coffee table designed by Axel Einar Hjorth is striking in balancing large volumes with clean geometrical lines. The tabletop has a thick and oval shaped shallow bowl with a well-defined rim on the top and bottom. The pine wood has aged beautifully and displays a strong patina. The wide and robust foot follows the shape of the tabletop and encompasses a beautiful grain within the wood. The coffee table was also known as the Brancusi table, a name found on a drawing in the Nordiska Kompaniet archive and refers to Hjorth’s admiration of the modernist sculptor. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1930s ~ H.

About the designer:

The work of Swedish architect and designer Axel Einar Hjorth was an early example of contemporary Swedish design, with its emphasis on minimalism and functionality. The sculptural quality of his work is easy to be seen in the Utö coffee table which originated from the Sportstugemöbler line, or weekend house furniture. The designs consisted of simple lines and construction rendered in pine that mixed aesthetics from rural handicraft with international modernism. Hjorth named these furniture lines after islands in the archipelago near Stockholm: ‘Utö’, ‘Blidö’, and ‘Torö’. ~ H.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:

27.72 in. W x 21.46 in. D x 19.1 in. H

70,4 cm W x 54,5 cm D x 48,5 cm H

Literature:

Axel Einar Hjorth (Svenska arkitekter och formgivare), Eric Ericson, Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström, 2011, p. 123.