Axel Einar Hjorth dining table

This rare dining table, model Lovö, was designed in 1932 by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden. It is a seminal piece within Hjorth’s Sportstugemöbler (Vacation Home Furniture) series, which was developed to furnish Swedish summer cottages with robust, functional, and stylistically distinct designs that reflected a modern approach to rustic living.

The table is crafted from acid-stained pine, a material chosen by Hjorth for its expressive grain and ability to age gracefully. The acid staining brings out the wood’s natural depth, resulting in a richly variegated surface with golden-brown and reddish undertones. This enhances the organic patterns inherent to pine and gives the table its warm, earthy appearance. The tabletop is flat and rectangular, with softened edges that show signs of gentle wear—an indicator of the table’s age and use over time.

Structurally, the design is minimal yet architecturally bold. It consists of a thick tabletop supported by vertical slab-style legs at each end. These legs are connected by a central horizontal stretcher, a characteristic feature of the Lovö model. The stretcher has rounded terminations, which introduce a subtle sculptural element that balances the otherwise angular geometry of the table. This design approach—combining clean lines with tactile detailing—typifies Hjorth’s interpretation of modern rusticism.

The table is in good vintage condition with visible signs of wear consistent with its nearly century-long history. The surface shows faint scratches, edge wear, and small marks that speak to its use and authenticity. These traces of age contribute to the table’s aesthetic value rather than detract from it, emphasizing the longevity and enduring relevance of Hjorth’s design.

Axel Einar Hjorth (1888–1959), as chief designer for Nordiska Kompaniet during the 1920s and 1930s, was instrumental in shaping Swedish modernism. His Sportstugemöbler series stands out as a unique contribution to furniture history—merging modernist design values with vernacular traditions and materials. The Lovö model, in particular, reflects Hjorth’s skill in harmonizing rustic durability with formal refinement.

The dimensions of the table are 180 cm in length, 74.5 cm in width, and 73 cm in height (70.9 x 29.3 x 28.7 inches), making it suitable for dining or multi-functional use in a contemporary or historically informed interior. As a rare and iconic work by Hjorth, it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Scandinavian design.