Dressing table

This is a rare dressing table and stool ensemble, model “Leni” produced by Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in Sweden in 1938. The design is by an unknown creator, though the form and detailing suggest alignment with Swedish Grace and early modern influences of the late 1930s, where neoclassical ornamentation merged with emerging functionalist tendencies.

The dressing table is constructed from mahogany with a rich, even tone and subtle grain. The front apron features decorative inlaid birch marquetry in a rhythmic wave motif, adding a lively contrast in both color and pattern. The top surface is shaped with an elegant curvilinear contour that flows into softly rounded edges. A central brass-handled drawer is integrated just below the mirrored surface, providing discreet storage.

The triptych mirror is composed of three vertical panels housed in mahogany frames. The central mirror is fixed, while the outer panels are hinged to allow for adjustable angles. The height and scale of the mirror add vertical presence and practical usability to the otherwise horizontally oriented piece.

The accompanying stool features a solid wood frame, likely also mahogany or birch, with tapered legs. It retains its original floral upholstery in a light beige ground with red and green stylized flowers. The upholstery exhibits age-appropriate wear, consistent with the piece’s vintage character, and aligns with Swedish textile patterns of the interwar period.

Nordiska Kompaniet, founded in 1902, was one of Sweden’s leading luxury retailers and furniture producers. NK’s furniture workshops were responsible for many significant commissions in the first half of the 20th century, collaborating with designers such as Axel Einar Hjorth and Carl Malmsten. This piece reflects NK’s commitment to combining artisanal craftsmanship with contemporary design ideals, bridging decorative tradition and modernist sensibility.

The dressing table is in good vintage condition with visible signs of usage and patina, particularly on the tabletop surface and mirror frame. The stool fabric is original and shows minor wear while retaining its color and pattern integrity.

Dimensions of the dressing table are 100.5 cm wide, 47 cm deep, and 133 cm high including the mirror (approximately 39.6 x 18.5 x 52.4 inches), with the table surface itself at 68 cm height (26.8 inches). The stool measures 61 cm wide, 40 cm deep, and 46 cm high (approximately 24 x 15.7 x 18.1 inches).