Ei yhteyttä palvelimeen

Made in Sweden: A visit in Villa Prenker


VILLA PRENKER

TORBJÖRN LENSKOG COLLECTION

Photography Fredric Boukari Text Ove Pihl


Torbjörn Lenskog was one of Sweden’s most skilled. As a graphic designer, a typographer, an Art Director, and an Advertising Agency creator, all this was when the quality of graphic design and advertising communication was at its peak in Sweden.

As a collector of important cultural artefacts, he will forever be celebrated. We were classmates in 1957 at the Beckman School of Design, as it is now called. Even then, Torbjörn’s talent was evident. We followed each other in parallel careers for several decades. Torbjörn Lenskog went his own way and became celebrated with numerous awards for his elegant typography and graphic design.

In the mid-70s, he successfully started the advertising agency Arbman & Lenskog. Now his great interest in the collection of cultural objects began in earnest.



A portrait of Torbjörn Lenskog in his home in Kungsör, photographed by Åke E:son Lindman.



For many years, Torbjörn managed to create one of the largest collections of Linneaus literature, even by international standards. That collection eventually ended up in Japan, and Torbjörn got the resources to keep collecting.

Now, Torbjörn started collecting everything that the rest of us didn't see. The perfectly designed household items from the 50s and 60s. Kitchen appliances, radios, gramophones, coffee pots, telephones, all that stuff that was around us that we didn't see. In the end, Torbjörn had to rent a large warehouse to have room for everything. It became a permanent exhibition in Formens Hus and lots of international press.

The next project was a large and significant collection of old, functionally designed tools like those that might have been thrown in the corner of the forge in the barn or on the workshop floor. They were large exhibitions and a wonderfully beautiful catalogue.




Torbjörn Lenskog’s world of ideas was unique. He went on to create a large collection of military objects from the First and Second World Wars. But not of the thing that killed. No Torbjörn was looking for everything else. The water bottles. the food can, the first aid kit, the comb, the soap, and everything else that the soldiers had to carry with them. It was a well-received travelling exhibition that began at the Armémuseum in Stockholm.

Torbjörn Lenskog did not elbow himself to the top. He was easygoing, friendly, and full of humour. We all remember Torbjörn's joy of storytelling which often began in reality but which ended roughly like a cock-and-bull-story by Fritjof Nilsson "Piraten". With Torbjörn Lenskog's passing, we lost a unique personality.

Text Ove Pihl




VILLA PRENKER

Bruno Mathsson’s villa in Kungsör was commissioned by the office furniture manufacturer Helge Prenker, who ran the furniture company Kingsor design. At the beginning of the 1950s, Prenker needed a new showroom and residence and went with Bruno Mathsson as his choice of architect. Mathsson, after a series of research trips to the USA, had a few years earlier begun to design and construct buildings inspired by the American ‘Case Study Houses’ that he had seen over there.



This was a type of modernist post-war architecture that internationally has been connected to names such as Richard Neutra and Pierre Koening, as well as the Swedish designer and architect Greta Magnusson Grossman.




This was a type of modernist post-war architecture that internationally has been connected to names such as Richard Neutra and Pierre Koening, as well as the Swedish designer and architect Greta Magnusson Grossman. In Sweden, Mathsson had to adapt the style with its floor-to-ceiling glass facades to function in a Nordic climate. The wall sections were equipped with so-called ‘Bruno Panes’ – insulated glass with multiple panes filled with nitrogen. Helge Prenker had his combined villa and showroom constructed according to this system. The building was given a seventeen-metre long glass section with offices and a showroom facing Kungsgatan. Concealed behind the public and office areas was the residence. It has been said that its shape was inspired by the Swedish fighter plane ‘Draken’, which was brand new at the time, and from above, the house indeed resembles the wing of an aeroplane. The exterior of Villa Prenker consists almost entirely of sections of windows, which was possible due to the use of Bruno Mathsson’s innovative underfloor heating system inside. Villa Prenker was finished in 1953. In the 1990s, the house was put on the market. Torbjörn and Ulla Lenskog, great admirers of Mathsson’s architecture, purchased the house and moved from Stockholm to Kungsör. The house became the perfect fit for Torbjörn’s many collections, including of Mathsson designs. The family continued to live in Villa Prenker up until Torbjörn’s recent passing.




Bid on the objects


164. Josef Frank, a model 2568 floor light, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden.
164. Josef Frank, a model 2568 floor light, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden.
Vasarahinta 
10 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
5 000 - 6 000 SEK
169. Alvar Aalto, a roomdivider, model 100, Artek, mid 20th century.
169. Alvar Aalto, a roomdivider, model 100, Artek, mid 20th century.
Vasarahinta 
13 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
10 000 - 12 000 SEK
170. Mogens Koch, a folding chair, CADO, Denmark.
170. Mogens Koch, a folding chair, CADO, Denmark.
Vasarahinta 
6 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
174. Bruno Mathsson, sideboard, "MI-806", Mathsson International.
174. Bruno Mathsson, sideboard, "MI-806", Mathsson International.
Vasarahinta 
14 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
8 000 - 10 000 SEK
179. Eva Löfdahl, "Modell F".
179. Eva Löfdahl, "Modell F".
Vasarahinta 
55 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
6 000 - 8 000 SEK
180. Jan Håfström, Untitled.
180. Jan Håfström, Untitled.
Vasarahinta 
4 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
4 000 - 6 000 SEK
181. Elis Eriksson, "jag är ett ombud..".
181. Elis Eriksson, "jag är ett ombud..".
Vasarahinta 
7 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
8 000 - 10 000 SEK
182. Jan Svenungsson, "New York".
182. Jan Svenungsson, "New York".
Vasarahinta 
5 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
183. Jan Svenungsson, "Leningrad".
183. Jan Svenungsson, "Leningrad".
Vasarahinta 
2 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
184. Alan Uglow, "Equator Series #2".
184. Alan Uglow, "Equator Series #2".
Vasarahinta 
20 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
8 000 - 10 000 SEK
187. George Nelson, a table, Herman Miller, USA 1950s.
187. George Nelson, a table, Herman Miller, USA 1950s.
Vasarahinta 
8 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
191. Melin & Österlin (M&Ö), ”Tallriken”.
191. Melin & Österlin (M&Ö), ”Tallriken”.
Vasarahinta 
2 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
192. Alan E Cober, Untitled.
192. Alan E Cober, Untitled.
Vasarahinta 
4 500 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
193. Eva Zettervall, Portrait in red coat.
193. Eva Zettervall, Portrait in red coat.
Vasarahinta 
5 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
6 000 - 8 000 SEK
194. Eva Löfdahl, Untitled.
194. Eva Löfdahl, Untitled.
Vasarahinta 
3 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
195. Jan Håfström, "Station Z II".
195. Jan Håfström, "Station Z II".
Vasarahinta 
4 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
4 000 - 6 000 SEK
196. Åke E:son Lindman, "Naturalis XXXXI", 1987.
196. Åke E:son Lindman, "Naturalis XXXXI", 1987.
Vasarahinta 
Ei myyty
Lähtöhinta
6 000 - 8 000 SEK
199. Urban Engström, "Osthyvel".
199. Urban Engström, "Osthyvel".
Vasarahinta 
2 200 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
200. Ulf Rollof, "Manual för bälg Nr. 9".
200. Ulf Rollof, "Manual för bälg Nr. 9".
Vasarahinta 
2 200 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
201. Kjartan Slettemark, Untitled.
201. Kjartan Slettemark, Untitled.
Vasarahinta 
Ei myyty
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
202. Joseph Beuys, Exhibition poster, "Stripes from the House of Shaman".
202. Joseph Beuys, Exhibition poster, "Stripes from the House of Shaman".
Vasarahinta 
10 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
4 000 - 6 000 SEK
203. Jasper Morrison, a side table, SCP, England.
203. Jasper Morrison, a side table, SCP, England.
Vasarahinta 
4 500 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 000 - 3 000 SEK
204. Bruno Mathsson, an easy chair, "Karin", Dux, Sweden, mid 20th century.
204. Bruno Mathsson, an easy chair, "Karin", Dux, Sweden, mid 20th century.
Vasarahinta 
11 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
8 000 - 10 000 SEK
205. Martin Jämtlid, a lacquered metal wall shelf, Sweden 1993.
205. Martin Jämtlid, a lacquered metal wall shelf, Sweden 1993.
Vasarahinta 
2 400 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
210. Kay Bojesen, a wooden puffin, Denmark, mid 20th century.
210. Kay Bojesen, a wooden puffin, Denmark, mid 20th century.
Vasarahinta 
400 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 000 - 1 500 SEK
214. Brio, a toy dachshund, Sweden, early 20th century.
214. Brio, a toy dachshund, Sweden, early 20th century.
Vasarahinta 
300 SEK
Lähtöhinta
800 - 1 000 SEK
215. Ola Öhlin, Untitled.
215. Ola Öhlin, Untitled.
Vasarahinta 
5 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
5 000 - 7 000 SEK
216. Ingemar Svensson, Untitled.
216. Ingemar Svensson, Untitled.
Vasarahinta 
8 500 SEK
Lähtöhinta
10 000 - 12 000 SEK
217. Peter Weiss, "Tusen och en natt".
217. Peter Weiss, "Tusen och en natt".
Vasarahinta 
Ei myyty
Lähtöhinta
10 000 - 12 000 SEK
218. Erik Olson, "Söndageftermiddagskaffe hos vännen Carl".
218. Erik Olson, "Söndageftermiddagskaffe hos vännen Carl".
Vasarahinta 
Ei myyty
Lähtöhinta
4 000 - 5 000 SEK
219. Leander Engström, Pierrot.
219. Leander Engström, Pierrot.
Vasarahinta 
3 500 SEK
Lähtöhinta
4 000 - 5 000 SEK
220. Evert Lundquist, "Bordet med glaset".
220. Evert Lundquist, "Bordet med glaset".
Vasarahinta 
12 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
221. Hans J. Wegner, a 'JH-513' chair, Johannes Hansen, Denmark.
221. Hans J. Wegner, a 'JH-513' chair, Johannes Hansen, Denmark.
Vasarahinta 
3 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
222. A modernist table lamp, Sweden 1930's.
222. A modernist table lamp, Sweden 1930's.
Vasarahinta 
4 500 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 500 - 2 000 SEK
227. Evert Lundquist, "Mannen i solen".
227. Evert Lundquist, "Mannen i solen".
Vasarahinta 
3 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
228. Evert Lundquist, "Den svarta fågeln".
228. Evert Lundquist, "Den svarta fågeln".
Vasarahinta 
7 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
229. Evert Lundquist, "Spaden".
229. Evert Lundquist, "Spaden".
Vasarahinta 
1 200 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 500 - 2 000 SEK
230. Sture Johannesson, "Andrée will take a trip!".
230. Sture Johannesson, "Andrée will take a trip!".
Vasarahinta 
2 200 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
231. Exhibition poster, "3 års inköp, Moderna Museet", 1963.
231. Exhibition poster, "3 års inköp, Moderna Museet", 1963.
Vasarahinta 
2 400 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 000 - 1 500 SEK
232. Evert Lundquist, "Vid fönstret (Genom porten)".
232. Evert Lundquist, "Vid fönstret (Genom porten)".
Vasarahinta 
4 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK
233. Swedish artist, around 1820, "Nils von Rosenstein" (1752-1824).
233. Swedish artist, around 1820, "Nils von Rosenstein" (1752-1824).
Vasarahinta 
4 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
4 000 - 6 000 SEK
234. A late Gustavian grey lacquered pine cabinet, Sweden ca 1800.
234. A late Gustavian grey lacquered pine cabinet, Sweden ca 1800.
Vasarahinta 
16 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
10 000 - 12 000 SEK
236. Tapio Wirkkala, a knife (puukko), Hackman, Finland post 1961.
236. Tapio Wirkkala, a knife (puukko), Hackman, Finland post 1961.
Vasarahinta 
4 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 000 - 2 500 SEK
240. Adolphe Mouron Cassandre After, Dubonnet.
240. Adolphe Mouron Cassandre After, Dubonnet.
Vasarahinta 
32 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
10 000 - 15 000 SEK
242. Richard Sapper, a table lamp, "Tolomeo", Artemide, Italy.
242. Richard Sapper, a table lamp, "Tolomeo", Artemide, Italy.
Vasarahinta 
1 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 500 - 2 000 SEK
244. Ulf Hanses, two toy cars and a pen, Playsam.
244. Ulf Hanses, two toy cars and a pen, Playsam.
Vasarahinta 
2 400 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 500 - 2 000 SEK
245. 5 handles, reportedly by architect Sven Markelius, Sweden 1930s.
245. 5 handles, reportedly by architect Sven Markelius, Sweden 1930s.
Vasarahinta 
500 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 000 - 2 000 SEK
247. Bruno Gecchelin, a "Ring" table lamp, Arteluce, Italy.
247. Bruno Gecchelin, a "Ring" table lamp, Arteluce, Italy.
Vasarahinta 
1 200 SEK
Lähtöhinta
1 000 - 2 000 SEK
249. A bronze portrait medallion of Carl von Linnaeus, Sweden 19thC.
249. A bronze portrait medallion of Carl von Linnaeus, Sweden 19thC.
Vasarahinta 
3 000 SEK
Lähtöhinta
3 000 - 4 000 SEK
250. Christian Dell, a table lamp, Kaiser Idell, Germany, 1930-40s.
250. Christian Dell, a table lamp, Kaiser Idell, Germany, 1930-40s.
Vasarahinta 
1 500 SEK
Lähtöhinta
2 500 - 3 000 SEK