Page 32 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

30  INTRODUCING SWEDEN

Swedish Design

Swedish design first attracted international attention at the
1925 World Exhibition in Paris, when glassware in particular
took the world by storm and the concept of “Swedish Grace”
was launched. The nation’s design tradition is characterized by
simplicity and functionality, with a major emphasis on natural
materials. Swedish designers and architects are renowned for
creating simple, attractive, “human” objects for everyday use.
The 20th century marked the beginning of a
new golden age, in which Swedish design Stoneware, Hans Hedberg
has won worldwide acclaim. Swedish ceramics from the
1940s, 50s and 60s, such as this
stoneware egg, are popular with
collectors around the world.

Armchair (1969), Bruno Mathsson
Bruno Mathsson, one of Sweden’s most famous
20th-century furniture designers, is one of the
creators of the style that became known as
“Swedish Modern”. He designed the first version
of the Pernilla armchair in 1942.

Pale wood and
simplicity is
the concept
most closely
associated with
Swedish style.

Rag rugs are an old
Swedish weaving
tradition adopted
by Karin Larsson,
whose skill as a
textile designer is
widely recognized.
Cabinet (1952), Josef Frank
Frank was born in Austria, but worked in
Sweden, and was another disciple of the
“Swedish Modern” style. He is best known
for his printed textiles, but he also
designed furniture.

Carpet (1931), Märta Måås-Fjetterström
From 1919, Märta Måås-Fjetterström wove her
famous rugs at her studio in Skåne. Her work
was inspired by folklore and nature, and she
created a design concept that was new but
still firmly rooted in tradition.

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