Swedish furniture designer Axel Einar Hjorth created tables, chairs, cabinets and other pieces that were as elegant as they were functional, and he frequently worked in references to a litany of inspirations including French Art Deco, Gustavian style and modernism. Ahead of his time, his style was refined and daringly simple.
Born in Krokek, Sweden, Hjorth grew up in a foster family and at 20 moved to Stockholm where he studied architecture and design at the Högre Konstindustriella Skolan (now the University of Arts, Crafts & Design). Although he dropped out when his foster father died, he went on to work for some of the largest furniture manufacturers in Sweden during the 1920s.
Hjorth’s work was featured in the 1923 Gothenburg Exhibition world’s fair, and he exhibited a birch and cherry cabinet in the 1927 “Swedish Contemporary Decorative Arts” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His role as the head of the furniture department at Nordiska Kompaniet (NK), an upscale department store in Stockholm, from 1927 to 1938, further brought his designs to widespread acclaim, including pieces exhibited at the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition.
At the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition, an influential event in the emergence of functionalism in Swedish design, Hjorth exhibited a dozen room settings that featured examples of sportstugemöbler. These furniture lines were named for islands in Sweden’s archipelago — Utö, Blidö and Torö — with designs intended for cabins and vacation homes. The use of solid Swedish pine in these pieces revealed a love of traditional rustic furniture while the simple forms boldly looked to the future. He also brought his eclectic influences to armchairs formed from tubular metal, blocky case pieces made from birch and upholstered sofas with neoclassical details, each exuberantly mixing form and function.
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$6,341Sale Price|20% Off
Axel Einar Hjorth Swedish Grace Bookshelf, 1930
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Uccle, BE
"Funkis" Bookshelf made of Bonad birch with removable shelves. Metal plaque on back with the following information NK R 35389- C 25 1 32. Dimensions: H100.5 x W116 x D25cm H39" x W46...
Birch
Scandinavian Modern "Lovö" bookcase, NK, Sweden, 1940s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Low pine bookcase with cabinet part, made at NK in a rustic functionalist design. Rounded corners combined with traditional design elements including a cast iron keyhole plate. The ...
Pine
"Typenko" Console/bookcase by Axel Einar Hjorth.
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Typenko" Console/bookcase designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden. Circa 1933. Stained birch. Manufacturer label with numbers attached.
Birch
$6,295Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 46.46 in W 42.52 in D 11.82 in
Grete Jalk Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Design Teak Bookcases, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design teak bookcases set designed by Grete Jalk and produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, movable vertical partition...
Teak
$58,288
H 64.57 in W 37.8 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Modern Unique Cabinet by Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Unique bar cabinet by Axel Einar Hjorth, in a strikingly decorative design with elegant details. Made from mahogany with floral motif inlays in birch and rosewood. Lighting inside. M...
Mahogany
$93,261
H 61.03 in W 39.38 in D 17.92 in
Pine Cabinet ‘Lovö’ by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cabinet ‘Lovö’ designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s. Pine and forged iron. From 1927 to 1938, Axel-Einar Hjorth was the chief architect and designer at the department store Nordiska Kompaniet in Stockholm—which was known as one of the most important producers of modernist furniture in Sweden. During this time, Hjorth designed both public and private interiors, and worked with international clients including Iranian royalty. His first project for NK was a stand for the World Fair in Barcelona in 1929, during which he exhibited the Louis Cabinet...
Iron
Scandinavian Oak Bookcase
Located in Brescia, IT
Bookcase with shelving and cabinet, 1950s/60s. Original vintage cabinet from Scandinavia consisting of two parts. The upper part is a bookcase equipped with adjustable height shelvi...
Oak
1940s Intarsa Inlay Bookcase in Elm
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Sweden Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1940s Materials: Elm Measurements: 70.75″ wide x 12.25″ deep x 45″ tall
Elm
$18,281
H 45.28 in W 33.86 in D 15.56 in
Swedish Grace Fall-front Cabinet by Axel Einar Hjorth, Sweden, 1925
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stunning fall-front desk by Axel Einar Hjorth, made from mahogany with sculpted, darker wood details. Generously decorated with inlays, beautifully executed. Multiple small drawers a...
Mahogany
Axel-Einar Hjorth 'Lovö' cabinet, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovo cabinet by Axel-Einar Hjorth, produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s.
Iron
Cabinet by Axel Einar Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Very rare if not unique cabinet designed by Axel Einar Hjorth, from the "Caesar" series. Circa 1933. Stained birch. Rich decorated hand carved flamed birch doors panels. Original finish. Marked underneath with pencil on Swedish "Cabinet Lion". Presumably produced by AB Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden. Cabinet dimensions : 51"W x 20"D x 63"H' The cabinet base : 58"W x 24"D. A similar example of the present model was included in the International Exposition, Barcelona, 1929. Designer authenticity was proved by Thomas Ekstrom...
Birch
Axel Einar Hjorth Rare "Lovö" cabinet in stained pine wood
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Lovö" cabinet in stained pine wood by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Stockholm Sweden, 1930s. Good condition. Key is included. Stained pine, patinated iron rivets. ...
Iron
$1,167Sale Price|20% Off
H 50.79 in W 33.08 in D 10.63 in
Scandinavian Midcentury Modern Vintage Classic Swedish Teak Wood Bookcase, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This modernist classic bookcase was made in Sweden during the 1960s. It is finished with teak wood in a darker shade of brown. The cabinet has three s...
Teak
Sligh Furniture Regency Carved Mahogany Bookcase, Circa 1940s
By Sligh-Lowry Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Regency style bookcase By Sligh-Lowry Furniture USA, Circa 1940s Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware. Shelves are removable and adjustable. Measu...
Brass
1960s Axel Einar Hjorth Style Swedish Pine Storage Bench
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Swedish Mid-Century, large pine storage bench is in the style of celebrated Swedish designer Axel Einar Hjorth, likely inspired by the works of the designer's 'Sportstugemöbler...
Pine
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H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 13.78 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Wooden Lovö Shelf in Pine for Nordiska Kompaniet Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Swedish early mid century wooden "lovö" bookcase / cabinet in pine by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm, 1930s. In good original condition aquired from the ori...
Pine
Bookcase in Birch and Elm by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1936
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bookcase in Birch and Elm by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1936 Additional Information: Material: Birch and elm Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare bookcase model Oh boy Produced by Nordiska...
Birch
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H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 13.78 in
Axel Einar Hjorth "Lovö" Shelf in Pine for Nordiska Kompaniet Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Scandinavian modern bookcase / shelf model "Lovö" by Axel Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm, 1930s. In good original condition aquired from the original owne...
Pine
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H 25.6 in W 55.12 in D 13.39 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Bookcase in Pine Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare bookcase in solid stained pine by Axel Einar Hjorth produced for Nordiska Kompaniet in Stockholm ca 1932. This model is identically to the more common "Typenko" in stained ...
Pine
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H 56.3 in W 31.5 in D 14.18 in
1920, Art Deco Secrétaire or Dry Bar by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1920s, unique secrétaire designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and manufactured in 1924 by Nordiska Kompaniet, numbered L228. This unique Art Deco secrétaire is designed as a come-in to the...
Glass, Beech, Walnut
Axel Einar Hjorth Bookcase for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1937
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in London, GB
Axel Einar Hjorth was major contributor to the burgeoning Swedish design culture that was recognized internationally in the 1920s. He effectively introduced Swedish decorative arts and architecture to the United States. His minimal and unique style heralded the Swedish modern movement. This beautifully simple wooden bookshelf...
Wood
Axel Einar Hjorth Bookcase Oh Boy by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare bookcase model Oh boy designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Birch
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H 36.62 in W 39.38 in D 10.24 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Bookcases / Shelves by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare bookcases / shelves designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.
Birch
Bookcase Attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bookcase attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1930s. Lacquered wood.
Wood
Sold
H 59.06 in W 88.59 in D 13.78 in
Bookcase Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, (NK), Sweden, 1930's
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bookcase in solid pine and iron. Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, (NK), Sweden, 1930's.
Iron