Axel Einar Hjorth mirror

This rare wall-mounted mirror with an integrated shelf is model “Typenko” designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in Sweden in 1931. The mirror is set within a vertically oriented black-stained birch frame and features a sculptural shelf veneered in Gonçalo Alves, a dense tropical hardwood with a warm, reddish-brown hue. The shelf is shaped with upward-curving ends, offering both visual rhythm and functional support for small objects.

The minimalist geometric form of the mirror is elegantly balanced by the natural richness of the woods and the precise joinery craftsmanship. The contrast between the ebonized birch frame and the Gonçalo Alves veneer highlights the distinction between frame and shelf while unifying the overall composition through aligned vertical and horizontal lines. The back of the mirror retains the original Nordiska Kompaniet maker’s plaque and serial number plate, confirming its provenance and production date in the early 1930s.

Axel Einar Hjorth, chief designer for Nordiska Kompaniet from 1927 to 1938, played a pivotal role in shaping early modern Swedish furniture design. His work ranged from refined neoclassical styles to streamlined functionalist forms. The Typenko model exemplifies Hjorth’s interest in combining clean, modern lines with luxurious materials, foreshadowing later developments in Scandinavian modernism.

Nordiska Kompaniet, established in 1902 in Stockholm, was a key institution in Swedish design history. Under Hjorth’s leadership, its furniture department advanced the Swedish modern style, producing limited and custom pieces for a discerning clientele.

This piece is in very good condition with light wear consistent with age. The mirror glass is intact and clear, while the shelf and frame surfaces show minor signs of use, including slight edge wear and gentle patina.

The dimensions are 75 cm wide, 16 cm deep, and 138 cm high (approximately 29.5 x 6.3 x 54.3 inches).