Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Swedish, 1888-1959

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.

Find vintage Axel Einar Hjorth furniture today on 1stDibs.

Creator: Axel Einar Hjorth

1930s Utö Sofa by Axel Einar Hjorth – Nordic Pine Bench for NK, Sweden

$42,694

1930s Utö Sofa by Axel Einar Hjorth – Nordic Pine Bench for NK, Sweden

By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)

Located in Stockholm, SE

Sofa ‘Utö’ designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s. Stained pine. Provenance: From a private Swedish collection. Original cushion. 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...

Category

1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth "Skoga". Wooden Bench in Pine by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s

$32,083

Axel Einar Hjorth "Skoga". Wooden Bench in Pine by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s

By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)

Located in Stockholm, SE

Very rare and early Swedish mid century wooden bench in pine model "Skoga" by Axel Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm 1932. In good original condition. Dimension...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth, "Wärmdö" Sofa, Pine, Shearling, Sweden, 1937

$26,000

H 28.5 in W 78.5 in D 32 in

Axel Einar Hjorth, "Wärmdö" Sofa, Pine, Shearling, Sweden, 1937

By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in High Point, NC

A dark-stained pine and shearling "Wärmdö" sofa designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1937. Seat Height (inches): 17.25” Arm Height (inches): 24...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Sheepskin, Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth "LOVÖ" sofa, Nordiska Kompaniet, with original cushions.

$120,000

H 32.68 in W 84.65 in D 31.1 in

Axel Einar Hjorth "LOVÖ" sofa, Nordiska Kompaniet, with original cushions.

By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)

Located in New York, NY

Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930's with original cushions. The "Lövö" sofa by Axel Einar Hjorth is a masterful blend of comfort and sophistication, embodying the best o...

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Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth, Typenco Club Chairs, Fabric, Birch, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1932

$22,000

H 28.75 in W 24.81 in D 25.99 in

Axel Einar Hjorth, Typenco Club Chairs, Fabric, Birch, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1932

By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in High Point, NC

A pair of beige fabric and birch "Typenco" club chairs designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932. Seat Height (inches): 17.25" Arm Height (inc...

Category

1930s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Axel Einar Hjorth Velvet Sofa, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s

$25,732

H 28.75 in W 66.34 in D 26.78 in

Axel Einar Hjorth Velvet Sofa, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Stockholm, SE

Sofa designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s. Velvet Upholstery. Dimensions: H: 73 cm / 2' 4 3/4'' W: 168.5 cm / 5' 6 1/4'' D: 68 cm / 2' 2 3/4'' Depth of the corner side: 136 cm / 4' 5 1/2'' SH: 43 cm / 17'' Provenance: Fredrik Anderzon who was the manager of the brewery Nässjö Bryggeri commissioned a modernist summerhouse in 1936 and this sofa formed part of the interior. Literature: A high back chair that matches this model, Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet

Axel Einar Hjorth - Utö Dining Chair - produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden

$5,848

H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 15.95 in

Axel Einar Hjorth - Utö Dining Chair - produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden

By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)

Located in Hasselt, VLI

Axel Einar Hjorth “Utö” Dining Chairs - price per piece (5pcs in total avaible). These chairs, part of the Utö expo designed by Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden. T...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Wood, Pine

Four ‘Corall’ chairs designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1937

$15,615

H 32.29 in W 16.54 in D 17.33 in

Four ‘Corall’ chairs designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1937

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Stockholm, SE

A set of four chair model ‘Corall’ designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1937 Birch, rattan, upholstered velvet seat. Labeled. This set of four ‘Corall’ chai...

Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Velvet, Rattan, Birch

Pair of "Lovö" Chairs by Axel Einar-Hjorth, 1930s

$70,183 / set

H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in

Pair of "Lovö" Chairs by Axel Einar-Hjorth, 1930s

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Stockholm, SE

Rare pair of low back 'Lovö' chairs by Axel-Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s. Very good condition, original cushions.

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Swedish pine lounge chair in the manner of Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s

$2,713

H 27.56 in W 30.12 in D 21.26 in

Swedish pine lounge chair in the manner of Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Uppsala, SE

Stained pine lounge chair in the manner of Axel Einar Hjorth, made in Sweden in the 1930s. Seat and back cushion with original striped fabric with yellow and grey tones. The back cushion are held in place by two linnen webbing stripes. This type of pine furniture became very popular during the 1930s and 1940s and were specifically designed for Swedish summer houses that increased in popularity during this period. They are often reffered to as "Sportstugemöbler" in Sweden and were popularised by Swedish design superstar Axel Einar Hjorth. In the south of Europe they are often called Chalet furniture...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Fabric, Pine

Swedish modern Leather and elm stool "Katie" by Axel-Einar Hjorth, NK 1930s

$2,800

H 18.51 in W 22.45 in D 14.97 in

Swedish modern Leather and elm stool "Katie" by Axel-Einar Hjorth, NK 1930s

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Hägersten, SE

Stool model "Katie" attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, NK during the 1930s. Solid elm legs with upholstery in leather with brass nail details and tufted...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Brass

Single Swedish Wooden "Utö" Dining Chair in Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s

$5,848

H 31.5 in W 18.12 in D 17.33 in

Single Swedish Wooden "Utö" Dining Chair in Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s

By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)

Located in Stockholm, SE

Rare Swedish single wooden "Utö" dining / office chair in pine by Axe Einar Hjorth produced by Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm, 1930s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 80 cm...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Sofa in Pine and Bouclé Attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s

$76,359

H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in

Sofa in Pine and Bouclé Attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s

By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sofa in Pine and Bouclé Attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s Additional Information: Material: Pine and bouclé Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian Sofa Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Bouclé, Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet 'Lovö' Sofa in Solid Pine and Wool

$106,000

H 34.26 in W 78.94 in D 29.93 in

Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet 'Lovö' Sofa in Solid Pine and Wool

By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 'Lovö' sofas, model '36290', solid pine, reupholstered in “Nestor” (wool, mohair, alpaca mix) by Pierre Frey, Sweden, design 1932, made 1930...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Wool, Pine

Previously Available Items

Axel Einar Hjorth "Utö" Bench, Sweden ca 1935

Sold

H 31.3 in W 54.93 in D 18.71 in

Axel Einar Hjorth "Utö" Bench, Sweden ca 1935

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Utrecht, NL

This “Utö” bench is from the Swedish designer, Axel Einar Hjorth’s Sportstugemöble furniture line. This bench has a rather simple, yet well-thought out design. The frame is made of pine, mixing the aesthetics of rural, traditional handcraft with international modernism. Produced by AB Nordiska Kompaniet, this bench belongs to Hjorth's line of modernistic cabin furniture from the 1930's. The seat of the bench is thick and robust, with an oval shaped pine board, assuring sturdiness and stability. The symmetrically carved back with a gap in the middle offers comfort and functionality. The four tapered legs of the bench follow the shape of the backrests on both sides, accentuating the geometrical aspect, and highlighting the symmetry of this piece. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions: 54.92 in W x 18.7 in D x 31.3 in H ; Seat height 15.55 in 139.5 cm W x 47.5 cm D x 79.5 cm H; Seat height 39.5 cm Literature: Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström...

Category

1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth Bench Model Skoga Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden

Sold

H 25.6 in W 82.68 in D 17.92 in

Axel Einar Hjorth Bench Model Skoga Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare bench model Skoga designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden.

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth Utö Bench, Sweden, circa 1935

Sold

H 31.3 in W 54.93 in D 18.71 in

Axel Einar Hjorth Utö Bench, Sweden, circa 1935

By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Utrecht, NL

The ‘Utö’ bench from Axel Hjorth Sportstugemöble furniture line consists of a simple composition made of pine that mixes the aesthetics of rural handicraft w...

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Skoga Bench, Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1932

Sold

H 25.6 in W 75.6 in D 15.75 in

Skoga Bench, Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK, Sweden, 1932

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Stockholm, SE

Acid stained pine.

Category

1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth "Skoga" Demountable Bench, Pine, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1932

Sold

H 17.72 in W 81.89 in D 17.72 in

Axel Einar Hjorth "Skoga" Demountable Bench, Pine, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1932

By Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in High Point, NC

A purely modern, demountable bench designed by Axel Einar Hjorth in 1932. Manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden. Executed in Swedish pine.

Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Axel Einar Hjorth Benches

Materials

Pine

Axel Einar Hjorth benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Axel Einar Hjorth benches 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 Axel Einar Hjorth benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by Axel Einar Hjorth were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 1930s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider benches by NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Carl Malmsten, and Karl Andersson & Söner. Prices for Axel Einar Hjorth benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $40,559 and can go as high as $40,559, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $40,559.