Josef Frank model "2570" Ceiling Light for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1920s
About the Item
- Creator:Svenskt Tenn (Manufacturer),Josef Frank (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 6.11 in (15.5 cm)Diameter: 11.82 in (30 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1920s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some small marks on the metal bodies.
- Seller Location:Utrecht, NL
- Reference Number:
Josef Frank
Austrian architect and furniture and fabric designer Josef Frank was a leading voice for a gentle, humane modernism. His advocacy of warm, comfortable, eclectically styled environments was highly influential in his adopted country of Sweden, and it’s now widely regarded as a harbinger of the backlash against doctrinaire modernism and the embrace of the homespun that occurred in the late 1960s.
The son of a successful Viennese textile manufacturer, Frank studied architecture at Vienna University of Technology, graduating in 1910. From the first years of his practice, he marched counter to the orderly, symmetrical architectural layouts and decors prescribed by contemporaries such as Adolf Loos.
Frank drafted rooms of varying shapes and called for flexible interior-design arrangements. His furniture pieces are light and easy to move — and his chairs are always made of wood, most often with lushly curved steam-bent arms and slatted backs. Frank openly loathed the tubular steel furnishings and “machine for living” aesthetic promoted by Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other Bauhaus principals. “The home must not be a mere efficient machine,” Frank once said. “It must offer comfort, rest and coziness…. There are no puritan principles in good interior decoration.”
Frank — who was Jewish — sensed the dire implications of the rise of Nazism in Germany and Austria, and in 1933 he moved to Stockholm with his Swedish wife, Anna. He became the design chief for the furnishings maker Svenskt Tenn and found a perfect match culturally for his brand of simple, relaxed and bright creations. Like many modernists — notably Charles and Ray Eames and Alexander Girard — Frank had a deep love of folk art, which influenced his designs for a wide array of colorful, richly patterned upholstery fabrics, many based on the classic “Tree of Life” motif.
In all his designs, Frank took inspiration from a broad variety of sources. In his furniture, one can discern traces of Asian patterns, Rococo, Italian Renaissance, Scandinavian handicrafts and even Chippendale pieces. As such, the work of Frank — the friendly modernist — is at home in any type of décor.
Find vintage Josef Frank pillows, armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Svenskt Tenn
Today, the name Svenskt Tenn is associated around the world with the vibrant, modernist textiles and furniture of Josef Frank, who was the Swedish company’s chief designer in the mid-20th century. But the term “svenskt tenn” actually means “Swedish pewter,” and the very first goods the company sold were stylish pewter objects, such as an elegant 1927 candelabra found in the collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum, or a sleek, understated mirror in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts. These pieces were designed to appeal to discerning but price-conscious shoppers in 1920s-era Stockholm.
Art teacher and interior designer Estrid Ericson (1894–1981) partnered with pewter artisan Nils Fougstedt (1881–1954) to establish Svenskt Tenn in 1924, and their creations quickly gained a reputation for high quality and affordability, winning a gold medal at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925 — the design fair that brought global attention to the Art Deco style.
The experience of renovating her own apartment in the 1920s exposed Ericson to Swedish functionalism — or funkis, as it was known in Sweden — a branch of modernism that advocated uncomplicated forms, subdued colors and utility. She was inspired to open an interior design department at Svenskt Tenn, and in 1930 the firm introduced its first line of furniture.
Selections included items produced by the companies Gemla and Bodafors, as well as original designs by Ericson and the architects Uno Åhrén and Björn Trägårdh, who had worked together on the redesign and expansion of the showroom. The trio’s furniture was displayed at Stockholm’s Galleri Modern in 1931, where it was met with praise from critic Gotthard Johansson, a leading proponent of Swedish functionalism. Johansson admired the “pure lines” and “modern austerity” of the furniture, establishing Svenskt Tenn as an important voice in Swedish design.
But the signature partnership that would come to define the look of Svenskt Tenn was in part the result of political turmoil and the emergence of Nazism in Europe. When Josef Frank fled Vienna for Stockholm in 1933, he was already an accomplished architect who questioned modernist orthodoxy in design. He disliked tubular steel furniture and believed that monochromatic surfaces were distressing to viewers, while pattern and ornament gave interiors a sense of warmth and calm. Ericson was an admirer of Frank’s work, and offered him the chance to design products for Svenskt Tenn. Their professional partnership, particularly in textile design, would eventually become one of the hallmarks of Swedish modernism.
Frank and Ericson collaborated from 1934 until Frank’s death in 1967, with Frank creating unmistakable, bold designs and Ericson employing her flair for interiors, merchandising and display. The pair called their shared approach “Accidentism” or “The Happy Chances Philosophy,” mixing and matching the new and antique, the serious with the playful and pattern with solid colors to find eclectic new combinations in their showroom.
Frank’s textiles are like a visual catalogue of exotic plants and flowers, geological formations and maps, inspired in part by Ericson’s world travels and by Frank’s love of folk art. Svenskt Tenn continues to sell fabric, wallpaper and household goods, many of which sport variations of Frank's signature botanical motifs. Antique and vintage Svenskt Tenn pewter, lighting, furniture, textiles and decorative objects are generally priced anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 depending on scale and condition.
The tenets of Scandinavian modernism are as fresh and relevant now as they were in the 1950s — light-filled and airy rooms with white walls are perfect settings for comfortable furniture upholstered in one of Josef Frank’s indelible patterns, and nearly a century since its founding, the signature aesthetic of Svenskt Tenn remains as distinctive and timeless as ever.
Find antique and vintage Svenskt Tenn mirrors, seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Utrecht, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Josef Frank Six-Branched Candle Holder for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1930sBy Svenskt Tenn, Josef FrankLocated in Utrecht, NLIn 1934, Josef Frank made his first attempt at modernizing the classic candelabra. With softly swaying forms, he eliminated the base in the middle, ...Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank Brass Adjustable Candelabra for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1950sBy Josef Frank, Svenskt TennLocated in Utrecht, NLAlthough electricity has relegated candleholders to decorative use, interior designers continue to favour candelabra for their cosy light and eye-catching appearance. Josef Frank modernized the classic...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank "The Knot of Friendship" Brass Candelabra, Sweden 1940sBy Josef Frank, Svenskt TennLocated in Utrecht, NLJosef Frank designed Vänskapsknuten (the Knot of Friendship) as a symbol of friendship and peace at a time when Europe was filled with turmoil. The very first sketch of the candelabra dates back to 1938, just a year before the outbreak of the Second World War, but it is as relevant now as it was then. The Austrian designer and architect may be best known for his vivid textiles for Swedish firm Svenskt Tenn, but his artistic touch reached far beyond textiles and created iconic objects such as this candle holder. The elaborate brass structure intertwines at multiple points, but the brass rods only meet in the middle where a small sphere connects them. Each of the three brass cup have so-called chambersticks, small pans to catch dripping wax. The looping calligraphic design gives this piece a weightless grace that is stunning even without the symbolism behind it. The body’s busy look is completed and balanced by the long candles. The design changes from angle to angle and shows Frank’s sensitive touch. The Knot of Friendship has become an iconic object not only in Svenskt Tenn’s range, but also of Sweden. The production traditionally required a process of thorough methodology and great craftsmanship. Josef Frank was the most prestigious designer in the Stockholm design company Svenskt Tenn (Swedish Pewter), recruited by the founder of the company, Estrid Ericson herself. Since 2018, after a careful assessment of Josef Frank’s original drawing, the candelabra regained its original form from 1938 under the hands of Svenskt Tenn. However, the production of this well-known and widely-loved candle holder...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBrass
- Hans-Agne Jakobsson Model "T716" Ceiling Lamps for Markaryd, Sweden 1960sBy Markyard, Hans-Agne JakobssonLocated in Utrecht, NLThese marvellous, brass ceiling lamps were created in what we now call “the golden age of Scandinavian design”. Hans-Agne Jakobsson was the great Swedish master of lighting, designin...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Swedish Two-Arm Ceiling Light with Star Decoration, Sweden 1940sLocated in Utrecht, NLCeiling lights have been used as decorative focal points for rooms since the early 20th century. In Scandinavian mid-century design, where interior lighting is of particular importan...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Hans-Agne Jakobsson Model "T716" Ceiling Lamp for Markaryd, Sweden, 1960sBy AB Markaryd, Hans-Agne JakobssonLocated in Utrecht, NLThis marvellous, brass ceiling lamp was created in what we now call “the golden age of Scandinavian design”. Hans-Agne Jakobsson was the great Swedish master of lighting, designing s...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank, Wall Scones, Model 2389, Firma Svenskt TennBy Svenskt Tenn, Josef FrankLocated in Stockholm, SEA pair of wall scones in brass, model 2389. Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden mid-1900s..Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Swedish Pendant by Josef Frank for Svenskt TennBy Josef Frank, Svenskt TennLocated in Karlstad, SEPendant by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, model 2560. This lamp comes with a rare counter weight that originally came with this model. Condition: Very good condition with new shade.Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Adjustable Wall Fixture Model 2582 by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt TennBy Josef Frank, Svenskt TennLocated in Stockholm, SEWall lamp in brass, model 2582. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, mid-1900s. Adjustable length and height.Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank, Table Lamp "2388", Firma Svenskt TennBy Josef Frank, Svenskt TennLocated in Stockholm, SETable lamp model 2388, designed by Josef Frank in 1936. Manufactured by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, mid-1900s.Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Modern Pendant Light by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950sBy Svenskt Tenn, Josef FrankLocated in Stockholm, SEElegant brass pendant light by Josef Frank, with three shades. Slender brass frame and decorative brass ball on the chord. Length of chord is adjustable according to preference.Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Modern Pendant Light by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950sBy Josef Frank, Svenskt TennLocated in Stockholm, SEBeautiful brass pendant light by Josef Frank, in an elegant, voluminous design. Shade made from pleated fabric. A decorative brass “anchor” comes out through the bottom of the shade ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass