Modernity at Westbourne Grove by modernitystockholm

A GLIMPSE INSIDE OUR NEW LONDON SHOWROOM Modernity is delighted to announce the arrival of its new showroom in London, located on the corner of Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill. This is a landmark step for the Stockholm based gallery, which has established itself throughout the years as one of the leading curators of Nordic design in Europe - now, this expansion sees them bring their collection to the Notting Hill high street. The doors opened to the public on August 16th, after one and a half years in the Palladian mansion on Cavendish Square, which is now closed for an extensive restoration. ”Our new gallery space will be a very visible showroom open on a daily basis. It is in a bustling location with an interesting collection of independent stores and galleries, and I believe Modernity will be a brilliant addition to the area” says Andrew Duncanson, founder of Modernity. “Ever since we started working on the building in early July, we have had numerous residents and passers-by commenting on how delighted they are to see this magnificent space being brought back to life. We feel the community will really embrace what Modernity has to offer, and we hope that the new gallery will become an integral part of the high street” says Sebastien Holt, UK Director for Modernity. Visit us at: 230 – 236 Westbourne Grove London W11 2RH Mon-Fri 11am-5:30pm Saterday 11am-3pm

Pictured, from left to right: Ceiling lamp ‘PH Louvre’ designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. 1957. Sculpture “Tennisspelare” (tennis player) by Vicke Lindstrand, Sweden. 1950’s. Two of six dining chairs, “Egyptian chairs” designed by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark. 1949. 4

Pictured, from top to bottom: Tapestry, anonymous, Denmark. 1950’s. Armchair “Egg chair” designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark. 1958.

Sculpture “Tennisspelare” (tennis player) designed by Vicke Lindstrand, in Sweden 1950’s. Made from Birch. Provenance: Gift from Marianne and Vicke Lindstrand to glass artist Hanne Dreutler (1942‑2009). Thereafter in the family’s collection.

Table lamp PH 4/3 designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. 1929.

Pictured, from left to right: Mixed media painting, scroll in a framed box by Rune Hagberg, Sweden, 1980’s. A Tower Mystery, Painting by David Svensson, Sweden 2020 Games table designed by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Cabinetmaker Willy Beck, Denmark, 1966.

Rug “Sun Spots” designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden. 1966. 12

Finn Juhl Chieftain Chair

‘A chair is not just a product of decorative art in a space, it is a form and a space in itself ’ - Finn Juhl The Chieftain Chair is regarded internationally as one of Finn Juhl’s most iconic works. During the introduction of the chair at the 1949 Copenhagen Cabinetmaker’s Guild Exhibition, audience members were in awe. It represented the changing perspective in design which no longer valued function over form. The Chieftain boasts substantial proportions: it is one meter in width and has a pair of slanted and elegant armrests constructed from steel. “I started drawing the Chieftain Chair one day in the spring of 1949. Perhaps I had a vague idea for some time that I wanted to design something bigger. There had been so many small, handy chairs, so I probably felt like designing something a bit more pompous...”, remarked Finn Juhl. When it was initially presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibition, the chair was given the model number NV 49. It was only after the event, as described by Juhl below, that the chair claimed its new name: “When the chair was brought in someone asked me who the chair was for, jokingly I answered, “King Frederik”. However, of course we couldn’t call it “the King Chair” or “the King Frederik Chair” because he hadn’t asked for it, nor had we asked him. Then I played it off by saying that it was for some random chieftain - and that’s all there is to it”.

Rune Hagberg

Rune Hagberg was a self-taught artist who was heavily influenced by Eastern calligraphy and Zen Buddhism. His informal practice found it’s place between concretism and expressionism, both of which were widespread during the 1950’s. His oeuvre of this particular style of ink painting turned him into a public figure in Sweden – hosting a long series of exhibitions, most notably at the Moderna Museet in Malmö and Norrköping Art Museum. A compilation of his life, writings and work can be found in the book ‘Events’, put together by the artist himself. Modernity has an extensive collection of works by Hagberg, of both his early and later styles.

Pair of ceiling lamps model 9060 designed by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, Finland. 1950’s. Brass. 16

Provenance: Secretariat’s office of the United Nations in New York, USA.

Paavo Tynell

One of the best loved and most acclaimed Finnish designers – Paavo Tynell was born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1890. He was an industrial designer, and was often referred to as ‘The Man who illuminated Finland’. Tynell became the lighting designer of choice for a number of distinguished architects including Aarne Ervi and the remarkable Alvar Aalto, and went on to be the managing director of his own company, Taito Oy, into the late 1930’s. The growing accessibility of electricity during this time meant that more and more private households were looking to install light fixtures. 17

Two Colonial chairs model PJ 149 designed by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen, Denmark. 1949. Sofa “Colonial” designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark. 1960’s. Painting by Sven Hansson, Sweden. 1982. 19

Pictured, from left to right: Floor lamp “Angel Wing” designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland. 1950’s. Dining set Oxford designed by Arne Jacobsen, Denmark. 1962-1964. Ceiling lamp ‘Beehive’ model A332 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyo, Finland. 1953. To learn more about our extremely rare Oxford dining set, click here.

Nicknamed “Beehive,” this lamp is one of Alvar Aalto’s most recognised and popular lighting designs. Suitable for homes and public spaces alike, the “Beehive” creates a warm, diffused light when illuminated. This is as a result of the unique design that features several rows of perforated steel rings. Model A332 is a rare and early version with six tiers, rather than the standard five.

Painting by Sven Hansson, Sweden. 1982. Oil on canvas. 23

Pictured from top to bottom: Painting “Mural II” by Harry Booström, Sweden. 1953. Sideboard “Credenza” model 29A designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast, Denmark. 1958-1959. Bowl designed by Tina Reuterberg, Sweden, 1990’s.

Pictured, from left to right: Sleigh chair designed by Börge Mogensen for Tage M Christensen & Co, Denmark. 1953. Pair of wall lamps designed by Paavo Tynell, Finland. 1940’s. Pair of hexagonal side tables designed by Hans C. Andersen, Denmark. 1960’s. Easy chair designed by Nanna Ditzel for Ludvig Pontoppidan, Denmark, 1950’s. 27

Rug “Salerno Gray” designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden. 1948. Handwoven wool in kelim technique. 28

Pictured from left to right: Shelving system model number 42 designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden. 1951.

Sideboard designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950’s. Pair of floor lamps model 2564 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950’s. Dining set designed by Uno Ullberg for Hangö Ångsåg & Ångsnickeri AB, Finland, 1905. Ceiling “City Hall Lamp” designed By Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. 1941. .

Please click here to view our amazing collection of Cermaics and Glass.

Uno Ullberg

Uno Ullberg was one of the first architects to introduce functionalist design to Finland, a movement which would take over from Nordic Classicism of the 1920’s. His design style was influenced by his knowledge of architectural history. He wrote several publications, including one titled ‘Folk building methods and decorative forms from Karelia’. Almost half of the featured illustrations were composed by Ullberg and were published with the help of fellow students J. Kekkonen and A. Tawastjerna. Ullberg is known for creating several iconic buildings across Finland, including the Vyborg Art Museum and School, and Bensow House in Helsinki. Outside of these private successes, he worked as a draftsman in the offices of Gustav Nyström and subsequently Nyström-PetreliusPenttilä. Ullberg went on to open his own architectural practice in 1909. During the 1920’s, Ullberg continued working on several large commercial buildings in the centre of Vyborg. Ultimately, Ullberg would design everything from elementary schools to bank buildings and sanatoriums. Whilst little is known of his career as a furniture maker, Modernity has been able to locate this set within an archived Finnish text: ‘Finnish Industrial Magazine no.24’. Ullberg’s design choices clearly match with those of his architecture – the long pillar-like backrests reflect those of the Vyborg Art Museums. The inbuilt leather cushions usher comfort to the long, formal, and eloquent design. It goes without saying, that when extended to its full 3 metre length, it is an unequivocal masterpiece.

Dining set designed by Uno Ullberg for Hangö Ångsåg & Ångsnickeri AB, Finland, 1905. Made from Birch and leather. Set includes ten dining chairs and dining table.

Pictured, from left to right: Armchair “Chieftain” designed by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark. 1949. Cabinet on stand model 2135 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950’s. Ceramic sculpture “Dandy” by Alvina Jakobsson, Sweden. 2021. Pair of hexagonal sidetables designed by Hans C. Andersen, Denmark. 1960’s. Vase “Veckla” designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. 1940’s. Sofa designed by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark. 1943. Floor lamp model 2597 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950’s.

Josef Frank

Josef Frank joined Svenskt Tenn at the onset of the Second World War, and began working closely with Estrid Ericson, the company founder and an acclaimed designer in her own right. During his time at the company, Frank created over 2,000 furniture sketches and 160 textile prints. We have two beautiful cabinets by Josef Frank currently in our gallery. The Flora Cabinet, pictured to the right, is a prime example of Viennese elegance and Swedish functionalism fused together. Frank used hand-coloured botanical paper prints from Carl Lindman’s book ‘Bilder ur Nordens Flora’, which he then delicately applied onto the mahogany front of the piece.

Pictured, from Left: Armchair model 4488 designed by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark. 1931. Mahogany with Brazilian rosewood inlays, woven cane, and patinated natural leather. Painting by David Svensson

Pictured from left to right: Armchair model 4488 designed by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark. 1931. Desk designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1934. Table lamp designed by Axel Enoch Boman for Orrefors, Sweden. 1915. Painting by David Svensson, Sweden, 2010. 39

Furniture featured from right to left: Sculpture “Amazon Pistil” by Eric Grate, Sweden. 1931. Armchair “Small Paimio” model number 42 designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland. 1930’s. Painting ‘No. II’ by Harry Booström, Sweden. 1953. Rug ‘Krabban’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF AB, Sweden. 1947. Please click here to view our wondeful collection of jewlery

Alvar Aalto

Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His breadth of work includes architecture, furniture, lighting, and glassware, as well as sculptures and paintings. He never regarded himself as an artist, and is quoted as saying that painting and sculpture are “branches of the tree whose trunk is architecture.” Aalto had adopted the principals of user-friendly, functional design in his architecture, and it was characteristic of Aalto to treat each building as a complete work of art – right down to the furniture and light fittings. One of Aalto’s most recognised works is that of Paimio Sanatorium, completed in 1932. Aalto was also responsible for designing the majority of the internal furniture and lighting, an example of which is the ‘Small Paimio’, pictured above.

Bust sculpture designed by Steffen Lüttge, Denmark. 1960’s.

Please contact us with any enquiries or questions you may have: sebastien.holt@modernity.se

Photography courtesy of James Harris & Luca Monteregge Text & Design by Luca Monteregge & Alexandra Record © Modernity AB 2021