Utö Table by Axel Einar Hjorth
A stained pine wood side table from the “Utö” furniture series which was designed by Swedish designer Axel Einar Hjorth in 1932 for Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in Stockholm. After 1930 the Hjorth-NK collaboration were fully occupied with launching furniture in the spirit of neofunctionalism. The “Utö” series is shown for the first time in May 1932 at NK’s recurring spring exhibition. Like its predecessor Sandhamn, Hjorth also draws inspiration from Swedish folk furniture in the “Utö” and “Lovö” lines. These are great examples of powerful and sculptural furniture with large proportions; however, the design is now clearly influenced by the prevailing modernism. The shapes are geometric and the curves and lines are more defined. Just like “Sandhamn” series, the “Utö” series are named after islands in the Stockholm archipelago. Sometimes this model with its thick base and concave top is referred to as the Brancusi table, although this is not an officially sanctioned name.
490.000 SEK
Axel Einar Hjorth
Axel Einar Hjorth is considered one of Sweden's most significant furniture designers during the 1920s and 30s. Hjorth's early employers included Svenska Möbelfabrikerna in Bodafors and the Stockholm Crafts Association. The big breakthrough came as chief architect for Nordiska Kompaniet, a position he took up in 1927 and held until 1938. Hjorth's first major assignment was the Nordiska Kompaniet's lavish stand at the World Exhibition in Barcelona in 1929, to then participate in several major international exhibitions during the following decade. In 1929, Hjorth also breaks new ground and designs the first series of rustic furniture in stained pine, the so-called sports cabin furniture that was named "Lovö", "Utö" and "Sandhamn" after the islands in the Stockholm archipelago.
