Axel Einar Hjorth Lovö cabinet

This very rare cabinet is an unusual version of the Lovö model, designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in Sweden. Executed in solid pine with blackened wrought iron fittings, it belongs to Hjorth’s celebrated Sportstugemöbler series, created during the early 1930s as robust furniture intended for Swedish holiday cabins and rural summer houses. The series is today regarded as one of the most distinctive Scandinavian interpretations of functionalism combined with vernacular craft traditions.

The cabinet has a strong architectural presence, constructed with vertically arranged pine planks across the front, giving the surface a rhythmic and almost panelled character. The wood displays a warm honey-brown tone with visible grain structure and natural variations, enhancing the rustic expression. The exterior is accented with round, dark iron bolt details and a square iron escutcheon at the center, reinforcing the utilitarian yet decorative character typical of the Sportstugemöbler designs. The sides are similarly detailed, with exposed iron hinges and fasteners contributing to the cabinet’s deliberately rugged aesthetic.

The interior is fitted with a practical storage arrangement consisting of multiple shelves and two small drawers, providing both open and enclosed organization. The inside surfaces show a lighter pine tone with clear grain and a more raw, untreated appearance, consistent with NK’s production methods for this series. The heavy wrought iron hinge and latch construction is characteristic of the model and reflects Hjorth’s intention to create furniture that felt firmly rooted in Swedish craftsmanship, drawing references from traditional farm storage pieces while maintaining modern proportions.

Axel Einar Hjorth (1888–1959) was one of Sweden’s most influential furniture designers and served as head architect and designer for Nordiska Kompaniet. While he produced refined Art Deco and functionalist furniture for NK, his Sportstugemöbler series has become especially sought after for its bold simplicity and tactile material presence. The Lovö cabinet is among the most iconic forms from this collection, and this version stands out due to its particularly rare configuration and strong decorative ironwork.

The cabinet is in good vintage condition, showing signs of age, use, and natural patina throughout. The pine surfaces display wear consistent with functional use, including minor marks, tonal variation, and surface irregularities, all of which contribute to the authentic rustic character intended for the series.

Dimensions: 100 cm width x 45.5 cm depth x 138 cm height (39.4 x 17.9 x 54.3 inches).