Gunnar Kanevad sculpture

This sculptural letter knife, designed by Gunnar Kanevad in the 1960s and produced by Träsnideriet in Linköping, Sweden, exemplifies the marriage of utility and artistic expression characteristic of Scandinavian mid-century design. Commissioned by the Swedish travel agency Nyman & Schultz, the piece occupies both desk sculpture and practical tool roles, its slender form tapping into the era’s enthusiasm for functional abstraction.

Crafted from reclaimed oak salvaged from Borgs Slussar’s water-soaked sluice gates, the blade portion presents a deep, warm brown tone enriched by the wood’s pronounced grain and a subtle natural sheen. The elongated blade tapers to a precise point, its silhouette interrupted by a large oval cutout that introduces a negative-space element, lending the knife a sculptural lightness. This void not only reduces weight but also creates a visual counterbalance to the solid mass of the wood, embodying Kanevad’s interest in dynamic form and texture.

The base, fashioned from old pine floorboard, contrasts the blade with a lighter, reddish hue and distinct concentric growth rings. Shaped into a rounded triangular platform, it provides stable support and echoes the gentle curves of the blade’s profile. The underside is lined with green felt to protect desk surfaces, while a single metal pin secures the blade to the base—allowing for easy removal when used as a letter opener and a secure display when set down.

Gunnar Kanevad’s work is informed by a sensitivity to local materials and a commitment to recycling and repurposing, as seen in his choice of salvaged oak and pine. His aesthetic bridges traditional woodcraft techniques and modernist abstraction, emphasizing the inherent beauty of natural textures and the sculptural potential of simple, elegant forms. Träsnideriet, known for its skilled carpentry and collaborations with innovative designers, provided the technical expertise to realize Kanevad’s vision in a durable, finely finished object.

This letter knife remains in very good vintage condition, exhibiting only minor surface wear consistent with decades of careful use and display. The blade’s edges retain their finely carved profile, and the base shows gentle patina without structural imperfections. At 7.5 cm in width, 7.5 cm in depth, and 28 cm in height (approximately 3 × 3 × 11 inches).