Design Sale XIV is like a journey through the progressive and pioneering craft of the 20th century.
The first stop takes us to the turn of the century, where shifting ideals wound their way through a stagnating style tradition. A bronze vase by Hugo Elmqvist, standing 34 cm tall, almost embodies the entire era on its own.
From there, the journey continues into the 1920s – a true high point in Swedish design. From this decade comes a relief by Olof Hult, its classicizing décor standing in stark contrast to the functionalism that followed, and to the softer, organic interpretation we now know as Swedish Modern. A tea trolley by Josef Frank is a fine example of the latter, alongside Sonna Rosén’s spindle-back classic Solfjädern.
At this halfway point to the 21st century, postwar decades bring us ceramics by Hertha Bengtsson and Carl-Harry Stålhane, before the 1970s make themselves known in the heavy pine that became almost synonymous with the era. The 1980s shine through in a quirky, colorful, and inventive Gucci wristwatch, while the early 2000s mark the end of this journey – one that encompasses more than 250 lots in total.
