Axel Einar Hjorth
Axel Einar Hjorth was born in a small Swedish village named Krokek, just outside Norrköping, on March 7, 1888. Due to a difficult youth, he was placed with a well-off foster family. At the age of 20, he moved to Stockholm to study architecture and design at the Högre Konstindustriella Skolan. He was forced to drop out of his studies when his foster father died.
Although he never graduated, in the 1920s Hjorth started working as a furniture designer for various manufacturers, such as H. Joop & Co., Myrestedt & Stern, Jonssons, and Nordiska Kompaniet. Hjorth’s designs from this period had neoclassical features combined with Swedish Grace. This romantic national style of Sweden was elegant and refined, yet simple. The trend lived for a relatively short period and, soon after, the country was going to embrace the unstoppable progression of modernism and functionalism.
The anniversary exhibition of 1923 in Gothenburg - which marked the breakthrough of Swedish decorative arts - as well as the 1927 exhibition of the Contemporary Swedish Decorative Arts at the Metropolitan Museum in New York (together with Carl Malmsten and Carl Hörvik) made Axel Einar Hjorth a well-respected artist, and to a large extent, part of the international success of Swedish design. For October 1927, Hjorth acted as the chief designer/architect of the Nordiska Kompaniet department store in Stockholm, which was one of the major manufacturers of modern furniture in Sweden. He left Nordiska Kompaniet in 1938 in order to start his own business.
Hjorth’s designs, from the luxury of neoclassicism to the severity of functionalism, are sharply distinctive in style, materials, and character. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Hjorth did not conform to the socially oriented ideas produced by Svensk Form (the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design). He often incorporated playful ornamentation from different historical periods by which he was inspired, such as the French Art Déco, using mixed exotic woods, bright colours, and textiles.
In the 1930s, Hjorth designed a furniture collection out of pine meant for serial production known as Sportstugemöbler (furniture for holiday houses). The collection is based on Swedish rural traditions mixed with international modernism, and has its pieces named after Stockholm's islands including Blidö, Sandhamn, Toro and Lovö. The pieces are renowned for their modern look, displaying strong proportions, simplicity in construction, and a brilliant union between tradition and modernism.
Hjorth played a significant role in the development of Swedish society as a whole, and particularly in Swedish industrial art. Whilst several of Hjorth’s contemporary colleagues have received great attention in the history of Swedish architecture and design, he was often overlooked by the lack of published and archived works. He remained a rather unknown entity in the design world and his achievements were under-appreciated. Today Hjorth is often viewed as a precursor to the modern designs popularized by Charlotte Perriand, Jean Royére, Pierre Chapo, or Josef Frank. Recently, there has been a revival of appreciation for his work, showing his genius in a new light. ~H.
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
Axel Einar Hjorth’s designs are sharply distinctive in style, materials, and character. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Hjorth did not conform to the socially oriented ideas produced by Svensk Form (the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design). He often incorporated playful ornamentation from different historical periods by which he was inspired, such as the French Art Déco, using mixed exotic woods, bright colours, and textiles, as this “Radio” chair showcases.
Designed in the first half of the 20th century, this armchair possesses a refined and slender appearance with distinctive details. The chair displays a clearly defined wooden frame with a neatly upholstered seat. The sleek wooden frame offers a beautiful contrast to the upholstery, creating a visually captivating aesthetic. With these characteristics, the chair makes for a harmonious balance between contemporary elegance and traditional style. Even though Swedish design is generally democratic and meant for the masses, pieces were not stripped of their beauty for the sake of functionality. The importance of this balance can be identified in the design and execution of this armchair as well. The craftsmanship displayed in this armchair model is a testament to the high standards of Swedish design in the early 20th century, reflecting both the technical skill and artistic vision of Hjorth and Nordiska Kompaniet. This chair not only serves as functional furniture but as a timeless work of art, showcasing the elegance and innovation of the era.
The Swedish company Nordiska Kompaniet manufactured this armchair with utmost care for its quality and design. Axel Einar Hjorth worked as the lead designer for the department store from 1926 to 1938. The company was among the most renowned Swedish manufacturers during the mid-century era, working with some of the most well-known Scandinavian designers - and this "Radio" model is a prime example of the great success these collaborations resulted in.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The armchair has recently been reconditioned. The wood has some scratches and stains. Due to the age and nature of the wood, the chair may have marks and discolouration. The chair comes with its original upholstery or has been reupholstered by a previous owner. We recommend reupholstery due to some signs of wear. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
22.44 in W x 23.23 in D x 37.99 in H; Seat height 18.11 in; Seat depth 17.52 in; Arm height 26.77 in
57 cm W x 59 cm D x 96.5 cm H; Seat height 46 cm; Seat depth 44.5 cm; Arm height 68 cm