Grossman’s Grasshopper

GRETA MAGNUSSON GROSSMAN lies behind some of the most iconic objects in Swedish design history, but is rarely mentioned together with the great designers of her time. Despite her great love of experimentation and exciting architecture she is today a background figure, and is seldom spoken about.

Of the most famous Swedish furniture designers of the 20th century one finds names such as Carl Malmsten, Estrid Ericson and Bruno Mathsson. Despite the fact that Greta Grossman designed some of the most recognizable iconic furniture in Swedish design history, worked as an architect and found success on the other side of the Atlantic – her name is often omitted.

"The only advantage by being a male furniture architect is the physical strength"

– One reason is that she lived in the USA for the greater part of her career, and as she did not have any children, who could have told her story, her legacy may have become somewhat forgotten, says Tom Österman, specialist at Auctionet.

GROSSMAN WAS BORN IN HELSINGBORG in 1906, but was educated in the 1920s at Konstfack in Stockholm. After her exams she sought a position with Axel Einar Hjorth at NK, but was not awarded the place, as the workplace lacked changing rooms for women. She subsequently moved to Los Angeles, where she opened up a shop and also had great success as an architect.

– Greta Grossman’s genius lies in her clean lines and exciting architecture. There was a desire for experimentation in everything she did and the house she made for herself in Beverly Hills is magical.

One of her most famous pieces is the three-legged floor lamp G-33. The lamp, which was designed in 1947, is better known under its other name, the Grasshopper.

"After her exams she sought a position with Axel Einar Hjorth at NK, but was not awarded the place, as the workplace lacked changing rooms for women"

– It is a fantastic lamp – beautiful and sculptural. For it to become such an icon, the design needs to stand the test of time, which the Grasshopper has done without a doubt.

AT AUCTION A GOOD EXAMPLE of Grossman’s original lamp can sell for around 3000 Euro. Since Gubi started producing the Grasshopper lamp again, it has found a wider audience.

– The lamp is most likely best suited to a minimalist home. It commands space in the room bearing in mind its sculptural form. The Grasshopper is more than just a lamp.

Text by Catharina Swartz