Axel Einar Hjorth
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a stained pine "Sandhamn" corner cabinet, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1931.
Shelves, the lower part with a door, marked with maker's metal label. Height 180 cm, the sides 70 cm, the fron width 90 cm,
Wear. Minor part of the wooden lining enclosed separately.
Provenance
Krister Littorin (1879-1939)
In 1929 Krister Littorin ordered a set of pine furniture from the "Sandhamn" series to his newly built hunting lodge on an island in the Stockholm archipelago. The set was comprising the limestone top table, a pair of lounge chairs, a dining table and four chairs (these were all ordered in 1929) and in 1931 the corner cabinet and the long bench, a special made to order, were added to the set.
The model "Sandhamn" was the first of the "Sportstuge series" that Hjorth designed. It was in 1929 and "Sandhamn" was a model actually executed by the Nordiska Kompaniet's carpentry in Nyköping.
The other models in the "Sportstuge series" were most likely executed by local carpenters after the drawings executed by Hjorth. The Sandhamn pieces are more exclusive, seen to details and craftmansship, compared to other models in the stained pine series. The Sandhamn pieces from the same estate in this sale are executed during the first years after designed, and the execution is made with a more refined effort, regarding the carved surfaces and finish.
The other models in the "Sportstuge series" were most likely executed by local carpenters after the drawings executed by Hjorth.
Krister Littorin was an engineer and he was the closest man to the finance magnate Ivar Kreuger, they were associated for a large number of years.
Littorin was the deputy managing director at "Tändsticksaktiebolaget" (Swedish Match) and the one who found Ivar Kreuger dead at the Paris hotel on the 12th of March 1932.
Littorin was considered to be co-responsible for the Kreuger crash in 1932 and he was sentenced to prison and a damages of SEK 200 million.
Subsequently Krister Littorin's substantial collection of antiques was sold at "Bukowskis Konsthandel" on September 7-9 1932
More information
The Sandhamn series was the first model of the "Sportstuge series" Hjorth designed in 1929.
Designer
Axel Einar Hjorth was one of Sweden's most significant furniture designers during the Swedish Grace era. He is also known for designing the so-called sports cabin furniture in pine.
Head designer of NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) furniture department 1927-38. His first significant project was NK's exclusive showcase at the International World Fair in Barcelona in 1929, where he presented the cabinet 'Louis' and the model 'Caesar'. In the 1930's he designed more basic models for serial production and rustic furniture in pinewood.
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