Axel Einar Hjorth dining table

This is a very rare dining table, model Värmdö, designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in Sweden during the 1930s. The table belongs to Hjorth’s series of furniture created for Swedish summer houses, known as Sportstugemöbler, which combined rustic materials with early modernist forms. Unlike most examples of the Värmdö table that were produced entirely in pine, this particular piece features pine legs with an original oak tabletop, creating a subtle yet striking material contrast.

The design of the table is simple and robust, with a thick, rectangular top resting on two wide plank legs connected by a central stretcher. The stretcher passes through the legs with visible wedged joints, demonstrating a traditional craftsmanship approach. The oak top has a rich, deep brown tone with a pronounced grain pattern, adding visual texture and warmth. The pine legs have a slightly lighter hue and are shaped with a subtle curvature at the inner edges, adding a soft architectural element to the otherwise straightforward structure.

Axel Einar Hjorth, active primarily during the 1920s and 1930s, was a leading figure in Swedish furniture design. While he is well known for his luxurious designs for NK, his Sportstugemöbler series represented a departure into more rustic, functional pieces suited to the informal, outdoor-oriented lifestyle of Swedish vacation homes. His designs from this period combined rugged natural materials with clean, bold shapes that anticipated later modernist tendencies.

Nordiska Kompaniet, the esteemed Swedish department store and manufacturer, produced some of the highest quality furniture of the era, often collaborating with designers like Hjorth to create pieces that combined aesthetic ambition with superb craftsmanship.

The condition of the table is very good, with minor wear consistent with age and use. The oak top shows a rich patina with some small surface marks, enhancing the historic character of the piece without detracting from its visual or structural integrity. The pine legs remain solid and stable.

The dimensions: width 160 cm (63 inches), depth 65 cm (25.6 inches), and height 75 cm (29.5 inches).