Axel Larsson dressing table

This is a very rare dressing table designed by Axel Larsson and produced by Bodafors in Sweden during the 1940s. The piece is executed in mahogany and birch with solid brass hardware, combining a sense of sculptural refinement with functional elegance characteristic of Swedish modernist furniture in the pre-war and transitional mid-century period.

The dressing table features an asymmetrically curved front with rounded outer edges and a mirrored rear gallery. The upper section is fitted with a shaped pivoting mirror framed by sculpted side supports. Below the mirror is a subtly concave surface area bordered by a mahogany gallery rail, emphasizing the table’s visual depth and sense of enclosure. The storage section includes six drawers arranged in a symmetrical composition, with softly bowed fronts and solid brass handles of curved profile. The drawers exhibit fine veneer matching in the mahogany and are dovetailed into lighter birch interiors.

The frame rests on four tapered legs, round in section, and characteristic of Axel Larsson’s attention to slender structural resolution and tapering proportions. The material contrast between the warm reddish tones of the mahogany and the pale birch interior surfaces reflects a common palette in Swedish decorative furniture of the 1930s and 1940s, merging functional construction with decorative sophistication.

Axel Larsson was a leading Swedish designer active in the first half of the 20th century. He worked extensively for Bodafors, one of Sweden’s foremost furniture producers during that period. Larsson’s work bridged the Swedish Grace movement and modern functionalism, favoring clean lines, fine craftsmanship, and refined material combinations. His furniture often maintained classical proportions while moving toward the restraint and geometry of mid-century ideals.

The producer, Bodafors (also known as Svenska Möbelfabrikerna Bodafors), was known for its collaborations with Sweden’s top designers and its high production standards. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Bodafors championed furniture that combined modernist principles with traditional craftsmanship.

This example remains in good vintage condition with visible signs of age, including light surface wear, small marks, and patina consistent with use. The original mirror, brass fittings, and overall construction remain intact, and the piece presents well.

Dimensions: width 130 cm (51.18 inches), depth 47 cm (18.50 inches), height including mirror 124 cm (48.82 inches), height to tabletop 70 cm (27.56 inches).