The Holiday Season at Svenskt Tenn

The red circle. A rising sun. The round symbol in the middle of the Japanese flag, Chinese paper art, floating New Year's lanterns and knotted magnolia have all influenced this year's holiday season at Svenskt Tenn.

This year, the holiday season at Svenskt Tenn bears Asian influences. Like the architect and designer Josef Frank, who so often found inspiration in the nature and culture of Asian countries, both new designs and decorations have been influenced by such elements this year. This is shown, among other things, in the new baubles created by Japanese designer Kotone Utsunomiya, in the pendants designed by Sofia Vusir Jansson and in the lacquered candlesticks which have been launched in the range.

PRINTS WITH ASIAN INFLUENCES

BY JOSEF FRANK

1920S MIRAKEL

The fantasy flowers give Mirakel an oriental expression, and the limes are framed by winding lianas, blue shimmering vines and a cavalcade of small dots scattered all over the print.

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Fabric Rox & Fix by Josef Frank - Svenskt Tenn

1940S ROX & FIX

The motif of mountain silhouettes that successively fade away in the grey mist is common in Chinese art. Josef Frank employed the concept while designing Rox & Fix.

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Fabric Nippon by Josef Frank - Svenskt Tenn

1940S NIPPON

It has been claimed that there are no people on earth more enamoured of nature and flowers than the Japanese. With its Japanese undertones, Nippon features a myriad of fantasy chrysanthemums and camellias.

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KOTONE UTSUNOMIYA THE DESIGNER OF THE SEASON

“When I designed the baubles in the “Story of Flowers” collection, I wanted to give life to the textile print with that I designed for Svenskt Tenn in 2018. The colour palette is inspired by Josef Frank's textiles “Rox & Fix” “Tehran” and “Mirakel” – prints that radiate a powerful energy. In several of his motifs, I feel that the plants appear to be in conversation with one another, and I fantasise about each flower’s unique history.”

Kotone Utsunomiya is a Japanese artist, illustrator and picture book writer specialized in handmade techniques such as lithography, colour pencil and batik work. She collaborated with Svenskt Tenn for the first time in 2018, when she was part of the exhibition Ten Textile Talents on Strandvägen 5 in Stockholm. Back then, she created the “Story of Flowers” pattern as an homage to Josef Frank “Mirakel” (Miracle) print. Now, for this holiday season, the flowers from the motif have been transformed into baubles for the Christmas tree. Here, Kotone talks about the inspiration behind her art and the spirited illustrations.

“For me, art is the proof of human existence. Because only humans can create art, and even if the artist dies, the artwork can stay around for much longer. This is how we can learn about people who lived in ancient eras, a long time ago. How they spent their time and what they experienced – what was the most important thing for them in that era. In this way, art stretches beyond time.”

THE ROUND SHAPE

The red circle in the Japanese flag is a symbol of the sun, and this holiday season, the symbol has formed the basis for Svenskt Tenn’s emblem. At the same time, the circle runs like a common thread through decorations as well as historical design at Svenskt Tenn.

Josef Frank also had a fondness for the round shape. It recurred constantly, both in the windows of his architectural works and in his furniture design.

Mirror Round convex

The round shape constantly reappears in Josef Frank's design, not least in this mirror from the 1930s, with a cone-shaped frame and convex glass.

464 EUR

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Cabinet 2215

Cabinet 2215 was designed in different in types of wood: Masurian birch, elm and padouk, the latter of which can be seen in the circles behind the fittings.

21,040 EUR

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Vase Dagg

Round dew drops inspired designer Carina Seth Andersson when she created the Dagg (Dew) vase for Svenskt Tenn in 2009.

400 EUR

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Stool 647

Stool 647 was designed by Josef Frank in 1936 and it works equally well as a coffee table seat as it does as a footstool.

1,360 EUR

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Tray Klöverblad

Klöverblad is a print with green clover meanders over a white background. Klöverblad has a clean and simple print designed by Josef Frank in the 1940s.

67.20 EUR

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Coffee Table 2139

Josef Frank was fond of the circle. Coffee table 2139 combines the round shape with Josef Frank’s typical coamings.

6,720 EUR

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Vase 1930's Style

Nils Fougstedt designed furniture for Svenskt Tenn early on. Nils also designed ornaments and this beautiful vase.

976 EUR

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Dining Table 2010

The round dining table in elm burl, walnut, mahogany and birch was designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn around 1940.

13,600 EUR

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Stool 530

The lovely, fabric-clad stool with soft curves was designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn around 1935.

1,552 EUR

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Pot Hortus

Designed in glass for the first time in 1942. The first colours that Estrid Ericson had made were ruby red, emerald green and deep blue.

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Lampskärm 2538

Designed by Josef Frank and made in exclusive silk. Every unique lampshade requires time consuming work and a exceptional handicraft.

768 EUR

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Plate Stockholm

Josef Frank designed the Stockholm motif in 1939 and the plate was custom ordered from the Italian company Fornasetti in 1946.

168 EUR

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Dining Table 771

Josef Frank's fascination for rounded shapes continued throughout his career and Table 771 gives both an elegant and majestic impression.

8,240 EUR

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Ceiling Lamp 2162

Josef Frank originally created Ceiling Lamp 2162 in brass for his own company, “Haus & Garten” in the late 1920s.

400 EUR

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Coffee Table 965

Josef Frank blended different types of materials to create exciting furniture. Table 965, in granite or travertine board, was designed in 1938.

2,944 EUR

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Vase 1477

An elegant pewter vase in a functionalistic spherical shape designed by Björn Trägårdh for Svenskt Tenn during 1929-1930.

96 EUR

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Stool 647

Stool 647 was designed by Josef Frank in 1936 and it works equally well as a coffee table seat as it does as a footstool.

1,248 EUR

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See the broadcast of the Holiday Opening on Svenskt Tenn

HOLIDAY INSPIRATION

from Svenskt Tenn

Inspiration

Living Room

Josef Frank’s floor lamp 2599, also called the “China lamp”, is accompanied by mountain silhouettes in the Rox & Fix textile and colourful fantasy flowers in the Mirakel (Miracle) print.

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Inspiration

Table Setting

This holiday season, Svenskt Tenn sets the table with a combination of traditional and innovative elements. A checkered tablecloth, designed by the artist Evelina Kroon is in focus.

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THE HOLIDAYS ACCORDING TO JOSEF FRANK

Svenskt Tenn has a long tradition of celebrating festivities, and over the years, some of Josef Frank’s designs have come to be associated with the holiday season.

The Christmas stockings with some of his most classic prints, the Hortus plant pot in ruby red glass and the twelve-armed candelabra are some of Josef Frank's items that are only sold during the holidays at Svenskt Tenn.

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