Holiday Joys

This season's new arrivals features Josef Frank’s fabric print Catleya and Estrid Ericsons’ Elefant, both in brown new colourways. Maja Sten returns as a designer for the house, with brass ornaments, paper garlands and glass baubles for the tree.

Combine, mix, and match different details to make this Christmas’ table settings feel personal. Svenskt Tenn’s deep green schnapps glasses are crafted by Reijmure Glasbruk based on a design from the 18th century. Here, the glasses are combined with Josef Frank’s oval platters from the 40s, Sebastian Schildt’s pewter pitcher from 2002 as well as Italian designs like Alberto Striulli’s Hexagon carafe and the Milano cutlery set from Pinti Inox.

A sideboard is ideal for displaying and serving Christmas sweets. Fill it with plates and bowls of candies, nuts and fruits. Josef Frank’s ‘567’ Sideboard was designed for Svenskt Tenn in 1935, and is today crafted by master woodworkers Eriksson och Söner outside of Nyköping.

Josef Frank originally designed the print in the 1930s, perhaps inspired by the flowers sold in his local flower shop near Rindögatan in Stockholm. In the motif, he combines a variety of flower species that author Kristina Wängberg-Eriksson poetically chronicles in her book Pepis Flora:

‘Catleya’ is one of the medallion designs that Josef Frank created in the 1930s, and it is currently the only one in production. The idea behind these print styles was to draw in the eye and let it wander between the different “windows” in the design. This way, the motif resists feeling monotonous, despite the separate pattern figures and small repeat.

‘Catleya’ is dominated by floral medallion motifs, featuring contours in a mix of colours. The print has been a part of Svenskt Tenn’s range for many years. For Christmas 2023, it is released a brown-yellow colourway; one of three colourways featured in the original pattern design sheet.

We decorate the tree with traditional candles and Maja Sten’s new Christmas collection. Sparkling brass ornaments in the shape of gingerbread and hand-painted baubles in colours inspired by traditional sweets: candy canes, lollipops and cellophane-wrapped candies.

When creating the brass pendants seen in this bonsai tree, Maja Sten was inspired by old gingerbread cookie cutters from her childhood. Playfully shaped like animals and figures dressed in hats and shoes. Sten also drew inspiration from old Swedish tapestry art, turning the figures into quirky characters.

A warmly lit corner dedicated to reading, with an armchair and cushions to lounge in. For this Christmas’ living room, Björn Trägårdh’s functionalist Armchair 219 (originally designed in the 1930s) is reissued in Jim Thompson’s polka-striped upholstery ‘Aenas’. This armchair was one of the first furniture pieces launched at Svenskt Tenn, and one of few in today’s range that wasn’t designed by Josef Frank. This design came about before Frank’s time when the entire furniture range was designed by Björn Trägårdh and Uno Åhren, commissioned by Estrid Ericson.

A heart-shaped cushion, fabrics ‘Elefant’ and ‘Catleya’ in new brown colourways are some of the new additions in the Christmas 2023 collection. Josef Frank originally designed ‘Catleya’ in 1930 featuring floral medallions and dotted contours in mixed colours. The red/yellow colourway of the print has been a part of Svenskt Tenn’s range for over a decade and is now made available in brown for Christmas.

CELEBRATE ADVENT

To celebrate the Swedish tradition of advent, we serve up a beautiful spread on Josef Frank’s classic coffee table ‘2073’. Here, timeless pewter objects like Edvin Öhrström’s Egyptian candle holders from 1928 and Signe Persson-Melin's “Myrtle” set from 2004 are combined with Sara Söderberg’s ‘Gryning’ tea cup and saucer, designed in 2022.

Miniature potted roses are widely available and lends themselves well to making Christmas arrangements. Here, we decorate the patio with the classic ‘Tolvekarna’ pot, in a vibrant red colourway. A Christmas colourway exclusively available for sale at Svenskt Tenn during Christmas.

Hortus is a classic that can be used both as a pot and vase. Here, we’ve arranged a selection of sesonal flowers like roses, carnations, amaryllis and hyacinths into a Christmas bouquet.

Amaryllis is a classic Christmas flower and is here displayed to resemble the lily in Josef Frank’s ‘Catleya’ fabric print. A simple arrangement with impressive blooms and simple twigs both in Björn Trågårdh’s ‘Waveform’ vase and Josef Frank’s ‘Nr 13’ vase, designed in 1957. In Eric Ericson’s pot, roses and carnations in shades of pink are displayed.

The ‘Syltkrukan’ (jam pot) vase was originally designed by Estric Ericson in the early 1950s. With its practical size and versatility, it has become one of our classics. For Christmas we fill this popular pewter piece with white roses and hyacinths.

Among the new additions in this year’s collection are the ‘Goda Ting’ baubles and the ‘Kristyr’ brass ornaments ; Christmas tree decorations reminiscing of gingerbread and traditional Christmas sweets.

The ‘Kristyr’ brass pot is another new addition. Available in different shapes and sizes, it is ideal for displaying seasonal fruits and flower arrangements. In the making of the pot, Maja Sten was inspired by the billowing waves of the royal icing used to decorate gingerbread figures, giving a touch of softness and tactility that offset the austere shape of the brass pot.

About Maja Sten

Maja Sten is active in Stockholm, Sweden. She began her training at Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design and continued her studies at the Royal College of Art of London. Upon graduation, she returned to Sweden to open her own studio in Stockholm. Her colourful aesthetic is playful and distinct, often drawing inspiration from folk arts and nature.

Christmas is present in every corner of the store at Strandvägen 5 in Stockholm. Tables and shelves are filled with decorations and beautifully wrapped gifts. In the Strandvägen Gallery, an atmospheric living room setting is displayed together with the new arrivals of this year's Holiday collection. In the Hall of Mirrors — a bustling Christmas market is open with decorations, gifts, textiles and table setting details.