The timeless pewter has been Svenskt Tenn’s hallmark since the company’s inception in 1924, and several unique pewter items are preserved in the archive. For the centenary in 2024, four such items are being launched together with a classic display cabinet by Josef Frank.
Estrid Ericson, an art teacher from Hjo, founded the Svenskt Tenn company in October 1924. She was joined by the renowned pewter artist Nils Fougstedt as her artistic collaborator and chief designer. In the early years she also collaborated with designers such as Anna Petrus Lyttkens and Björn Trägårdh.
Now, for the 100th anniversary in 2024, four exclusive pewter items by these designers are being launched together with a classic display cabinet by Josef Frank. The launch is a tribute to Svenskt Tenn’s historical legacy and the early years that shaped the company’s history.
The pewter candlestick depicting an Archaic youth was designed by Anna Petrus for Svenskt Tenn in 1927. When creating the pewter candlestick, she was inspired by the so-called “Archaic smile” – one of the most distinctive features in Greek art. The Archaic smile was a kind, enigmatic smile that often appeared on sculptures and bas-reliefs during the Archaic period in ancient Greece (700-480 BC) when youngsters were often used as subjects. Anna Petrus used this feature to create the youth in pewter as a candlestick, figurine, vase and pincushion. The pewter candlestick was shown at, among other places, the Building and Home exhibition at Liljevalchs art gallery in Stockholm in 1928.
A round pewter jar with a brass knob, designed by Björn Trägårdh in 1935-36. The so-called “Panama pattern” appears on a number of pewter objects designed by Björn Trägårdh during this period and is named after its resemblance to the braided Panama hat. The Panama jar is a timeless work of art, which has been shown in exhibitions at the Sven-Harrys art museum in Stockholm, the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg and the Didrichsen Art Museum in Helsinki.
A pewter fruit dish, shaped like a flower and inspired by the Dutch buckle dishes from the 17th and 18th century. The fruit dish was designed by Estrid Ericson in 1924. It was among the very first items sold at Svenskt Tenn and is included in the company’s pewter catalogue from 1925. The fruit dish in pewter is particularly attractive contrasted with fruits such as apples, plums and grapes.
The Noah’s Ark Nesting Table is produced in a limited edition of 30 units to celebrate the 100 years jubilee of Svenskt Tenn. Today, the table is hand-engraved by Michiko Englund while the woodwork is made by craftsman Martin Altwegg, following an original from the company’s archive. Each unit features a proof of authenticity in the form of a numbered plaque.
Josef Frank believed that the display cabinet could easily be part of a modern interior and he argued that the objects placed in the cabinet don't necessarily have to be of the same type. Instead, beautiful things should be mixed with practical ones, as is usually done in the rest of the home.
This cabinet, with cabriole-style legs and so-called club feet, is a typical example of an English display cabinet – perfect for showing off beautiful and exciting objects in a home. The cabinet was designed by Josef Frank in 1957.
