NORDISKA KOMPANIET
Pair of Chairs, ca. 1930
Stained birch, new upholstery
27.5” H x 24.5” W x 26” D; 17” H (seat)
Nordiska Kompaniet was founded in Stockholm in 1902 through the mergers of K.M. Lundberg and Joseph Leja in the hopes of establishing a department store to rival those in Paris and London. Nordiska Kompaniet often referred to as NK, featured a very refined cabinetmaker department, helmed by Axel Einar Hjorth from 1927 to 1938. Renowned designers worked with their furniture shop, including Gio Ponti, David Rosen, and Carl Bergsten, among many others. NK produced the finest, highest quality furniture available as well as pieces that can be considered iconic designs for the time. Sven Markelius’ installation for Nordiska Kompaniet at the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition is widely credited with establishing the designer as a driving force behind the Swedish Functionalism movement of the 1930s.
Nordiska Kompaniet also featured ceramic, textile, and wallpaper departments supported by some of the best designers of the time. Berndt Friberg created ceramics for their lines, and textiles were designed by Josef Frank, Elsa Gullberg, and Stig Lindberg. Frank also designed wallpaper for NK; his designs are still available through the department store today.
