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.
Cabinet 'Borgholm' produced by SMF-Bodafors, Sweden, 1920s
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Elegant cabinet model 'Borgholm' produced by SMF-Bodafors in Sweden during the first half of the 20th century. Made in stained birch. Adjustable shelves. Manufacturer's metal pla...
Birch
$17,722
H 57.09 in W 64.18 in D 18.9 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Swedish Grace "Roma" Cabinet in Birch, 1920's
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Uccle, BE
Stained flamed birch cabinet "Roma" for Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, SMF. Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Interior has 3 wide shelves, 2 smaller side s...
Birch
$19,800
H 64.18 in W 51.58 in D 20.87 in
1920s Swedish Cabinet by Axel Einar Hjorth for Svenska Möbelfabrikerna, Bodafors
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the 1920s Swedish Grace cabinet designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for AB Svenska Möbelfabrikerna in Bodafors, Sweden. It comes builded in two sections. Made of birch and veneered with dark brown stained birch. The inside and the shelves are veneered with natural birch. Behind the doors hides two removable shelves in each section. The front is richly ornamented and the two front legs resemble paws. In an age of 100 years it still has a beautiful strong, vibrant colors without any fading. Marked "AB Svenska Möbelfabrikerna Bodafors" with a metal plate inside the upper right door. The locks work and one key is included. ____________________ Axel Einar Hjorth worked in his younger years at Svenska Möbelfabrikerna in Bodafors, before he in 1927 got employed as chief designer at Nordiska Kompaniet. Thus, the cabinet was designed before 1927 and it’s fair to assume the cabinet was manufactured sometime in the 1920s. Axel Einar Hjorth is beside his design of these type of Swedish Grace furniture known for the design of Nordiska Kompaniets Sport Cabin...
Birch
Axel Einar Hjorth Cabinet Model Birch in Sweden 1920's
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Uccle, BE
Swedish Grace stained flamed birch cabinet designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. From the Roma series for Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, SMF. The Roma series has a unique feature of the li...
Birch
$12,164
H 63.78 in W 48.82 in D 19.3 in
Swedish 1920s Cabinet, Model Borgholm by Axel Einar Hjorth for SMF Bodafors
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in London, GB
Swedish Grace cabinet from the 1920s, model Borgholm, designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and manufactured by SMF Bodafors. The cabinet features striking geometric panelled doors and has b...
Birch
$16,587
H 56.89 in W 64.38 in D 18.51 in
An Axel Einar Hjorth Swedish Grace "Roma" Cabinet in Birch, 1920's
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in London, GB
A Swedish Grace stained flamed birch cabinet "Roma" for Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, SMF. Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. The cabinet opens by three doors to reveal and interior w...
Birch
$8,861
H 55.52 in W 39.38 in D 16.15 in
Swedish 1920s Art Deco Bar cabinet in the style of Axel Einar Hjorth by Reiners
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Reiners Möbler
Located in Hägersten, SE
Art Deco cabinet produced in Sweden by Reiners Möbelfabrik. Made in Mjölby during the 1920-30s. The cabinet part made from elm wood with rosewood and zebrano details and the base mad...
Birch, Ebony, Elm, Palisander, Rosewood, Zebra Wood
1920's Swedish Decorative Cabinet
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Turners Falls, MA
1920's Swedish Cabinet. Stained flamed birch cabinet, in the style of Axel Einar Hjorth. 2 large doors conceal 3 interior adjustable shelves. 2 drawers below doors. This cabinet is ...
Birch
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 1932. Stained birch. Rich decorated hand carved flamed birch doors panels. Original har...
Birch
Price Upon Request
H 57 in W 64 in D 18.5 in
Flamed Birch "Roma" Cabinet by Axel Einar Hjorth, ca. 1925
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful darkened flamed birch "Roma" cabinet made for Bodafors, Sweden, circa 1925. Three-doors with birch interior. Excellent condition. Axel Einar Hjorth (Swedish 1888 -1959) “...
Birch
Danish Modern Cabinet by Royal Supplier C.B. Hansen´s Etabl, Oak & Velvet, 1930s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Odense, DK
A rare and characterful Danish cabinet produced by C.B. Hansen’s Etablissement in Copenhagen, a renowned workshop founded in 1830 and appointed Danish Royal Court furniture manufactu...
Metal
Early 20th Century, Danish Oak Art Deco Cabinet with Hand-Carved Details, 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful Danish Art Deco cabinet crafted in solid oak during the early 20th century. The piece features an elegant architectural silhouette with a shaped cornice, paneled double doo...
Oak
Swedish Grace, Geometric Cabinet in Oak, Thysells Möbler, Art Deco, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
This elegant Swedish Grace vintage cabinet is a refined example of mid century furniture design, showcasing high-quality craftsmanship and timeless appeal. The piece is executed in o...
Oak, Burl
Martin Nyrop Cabinet by Rud. Rasmussen in Teak, Danish Modern, 1900-1920
By Martin Nyrop, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Odense, DK
Rare tall cabinet in teak by Danish architect Martin Nyrop (1849-1921) for cabinetmakers Rud. Rasmussen in 1905. These cabinets were designed for Copenhagen City...
Teak
Scandinavian Modern, Narrow Oak Cabinet, By a Danish Cabinetmaker, 1950s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
Charming Danish cabinet crafted in solid oak and raised on a matching stand. The design combines practical storage with traditional craftsmanship, featuring a paneled door with carve...
Brass
Early 20th Century, Swedish Art Deco Corner Cabinet in Birch, 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant Swedish Art Deco corner cabinet crafted in beautifully figured birch veneer during the 1930s. The cabinet is distinguished by its warm golden tone, lively grain patterns, ...
Birch, Wood
