Hjalmar Ekberg sculpture

This unique sculpture by Hjalmar Ekberg was produced in Sweden during the 1960s and exemplifies mid-century Scandinavian exploration of geometric abstraction and figurative minimalism. The composition is crafted from carved wood mounted on a rough-textured stone base, combining natural materials with a modernist aesthetic.

The figure is constructed from intersecting and parallel rectangular wooden elements arranged to form a highly stylized human form. It features a square head, vertical limbs, and a stepped architectural frame. Subtle carvings on the central rectangular headpiece suggest facial features through shallow geometric impressions indicating eyes and a mouth.

The wood presents a warm, natural tone with visible grain and tool marks, imparting a tactile, hand-worked character. Surface wear is consistent with age, including softened edges and minor discoloration, but the structure remains intact and stable. The stone base provides visual and physical contrast to the linear verticality of the wooden components.

Hjalmar Ekberg was a mid-20th-century Swedish sculptor and artisan known for abstract compositions often inspired by anthropomorphic and architectural forms, working primarily in wood and natural materials. This piece, signed on one of the vertical elements, reflects a blend of modernist reduction and folk art sensibility, typical of smaller-scale Scandinavian studio production during this era.

The sculpture is in very good condition with no structural damage or repairs. The original patina remains unaltered, showing natural signs of age and handling appropriate to its period.

Dimensions are 27 centimeters wide, 13 centimeters deep, and 59 centimeters high (approximately 10.6 by 5.1 by 23.2 inches).