Winter Inspiration Modernity London Our winter guide showcases a selection of works to inspire you this season, alongside our collection of Nordic design pieces from the 20th Century, including Josef Frank, Alvar Aalto, Paavo Tynell and Finn Juhl, with a special spotlight on Rune Frederik Hagberg and ceramicist Per Hammarström. Visit us at: 230 – 236 Westbourne Grove London W11 2RH Mon-Fri 11am-5:30pm Saterday 11am-3pm
Sofa designed by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark. 1943. Cherry wood and wool. Unique. Ceiling lamp, designed by Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, Finland, 1950-1951. Brass. Pair of hexagonal sidetables designed by Hans C. Andersen, Denmark. 1960’s. Rosewood.
Sculptures by Per Hammarström, Sweden, 1980’s / 1990’s. Stoneware.
Per Hammarström Since the opening of his studio in 1984, Per Hammarström has become a beloved ceramicist in Sweden. Per began his career at the infamous Gustavsberg Porcelain Studio in 1978, where the likes of Stig Lindberg, Wilhelm Kåge and Berndt Friberg had all made their names. His work not only imitates but redefines nature through the ceramic form – one look at his portfolio and you’ll find traces of the sea, the Swedish flora and fauna and tints of each season. Hammarström is a versatile artist able to create organic and uncanny works of beauty. Each intricately detailed, painted and glazed. His gallery is not the only place Per’s ceramics have lived, he’s exhibited in the likes of the Royal Palace in Stockholm in 2015 (displaying a ceramic swan atop white pond flowers!); the Universal Exposition of Seville in 1992 or the Ceramics Biennale in Cairo, Egypt in 1996. Now, here in Westbourne Grove at Modernity.
‘Apple’ sculptures by Per Hammarström, Sweden, 1980’s / 1990’s. Stoneware.
Painting by Rune Hagberg, Sweden. 1960’s. Watercolour. Sculptures by Per Hammarström,Sweden, 1980’s / 1990’s. Stoneware.
‘Pear’ Sculptures by Per Hammarström, Sweden, 1980’s / 1990’s. Stoneware.
Artwork: Painting by Rune Hagberg, Sweden, 1950’s. Ink on paper, signed. Painting by Rune Hagberg, Sweden, 1960’s Ink on paper.
Dining table “Judas” designed by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1948. Rosewood with circular silver inlays. Candelabra, anonymous, Scandinavian, 1950’s. Sterling Silver.
Dining set designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar Ltd., Finland. 1929-1935. The table top and lazy Susan venered in Karelian birch. The chairs in birch. Floor lamp “Angel Wing” designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland. 1950’s. Shade white painted steel. Base and shaft covered with black leather. Polished brass fittings. Ceiling lamp ‘Beehive’ model A332 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyo, Finland. 1953. Painted aluminium and polished brass. Rare and early model with six shades. Painting by Sven Hansson, Sweden. 1982. Oil on canvas.
Ceramic sculpture “Dandy” by Alvina Jakobsson, Sweden. 2021. Stoneware. Unique.
Sculpture by Evert Lindfors, Sweden. 1970s. Earthenware.
Pictured Above: Vase designed by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. 1960’s. Stoneware with rabbits fur glaze.
Berndt Friberg Berndt Friberg first worked the turntable at age 13, and by 18 he was an accomplished thrower. In 1934 he would join Gustavsberg studio in Stockholm (under Wilhelm Kage’s direction at the time) and immediately had a significant impact on production. The quality had significantly increased as Friberg developed his signature forms and glazes. His glazes and techniques are recorded in his famous ‘black book’ with such names as ‘ox blood’ and ‘aniara’, some of which have come through Modernity’s doors. He soon gained prominence exhibiting with Gustavsberg artists and taking up a solo show in Gothenburg, 1951. Even the Swedish King Gustav VI Adolf became an avid collector of Friberg’s work hosting a collection of over 100 pieces.
Vase designed by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. 1960’s. Stoneware with rabbits fur glaze.
Wingback chair, anonymous, Denmark, 1940’s. (SOLD) Stained beech wood and sheepskin. Dish and cup by Per Hammarström, Sweden, 1980’s / 1990’s. Stoneware. Chests of drawers model 385 designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark. 1960’s. Rosewood. Rug “Salerno Gray” designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden. 1948. Handwoven wool in kelim technique.
Pictured Above: Pair of wall lamps designed by Paavo Tynell, Finland. 1940’s. Brass and glass. Pictured Right: Provenance: Hotel Aulanko Hämeenlinna. Very exceptional model designed for the function room of the hotel.
Painting ‘Beyond the Artic Circle’ by David Svensson, Sweden Hardback book covers on linen.
Bowl designed by Tina Reuterberg, Sweden, 1990’s. Stoneware, signed TR & unique.
Please click the following links to explore our collection: Art Ceramic Furniture Glass Textile
Rug “Seaweed, yellow” designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Sweden, 1955. Hand woven wool. Tapestry technique.
Pair of ‘Trumpet’ candleholders designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland. 1996. Silver.
Rune Hagberg Hagberg was heavily influenced by Eastern calligraphy. His informal meditative practice found its place between concretism and expressionism that was widespread in the 1950’s. His ink paintings turned him into a public figure in Sweden – hosting a long series of exhibitions in Sweden, most notably at Moderna Museet in Malmö and Norrköping Art Museum. He would also exhibit abroad in Japan in 1955 alongside a group of Eastern painters and calligraphers. A compilation of his life, writings and work can be found in the book ‘Events’, put together by the artist himself.
Painting ‘Målning IV’ by Rune Hagberg, Sweden. 1966/1967. Oil tempera on paper.
Object by Rune Hagberg, Sweden, 1970’s. Mixed Media.
“Veckla” Vase & Bowl designed by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. 1940’s. Stoneware.
Table lamp designed by Axel Enoch Boman for Orrefors, Sweden. 1915. Glass and bronze.
History: There are only two of these table lamps made. These two table lamps are the only known objects designed by AE Boman’s for Orrefors. From Agnes Hellners (born Ekman), notes 1927-29. “Christmas in 1915, Pappa (Johan Ekman) sent a high lamp, green with yellow chestnut leaves in the cameo technique. It was not like anything we had seen before, and we thought it was so beautiful and so clever that we were completely in awe with admiration, joy, pride and even amazement that our dear Orrefors could create such a masterpiece... (Albert Ahlin informs:) The drawings were made by a worker at Reijmyre, AE Boman. He made a few drawings in 1915 for us that have been lying around, and this lamp was one of his designs. The work in the furnace- the most difficult - was performed by Knut Bergqvist. The etching work was carried out by the Austrian Wollman.”
Vase designed by Sandra Davolio, Denmark, 2021. Porcelain
Sculpture “Amazon Pistil” by Eric Grate, Sweden. 1931. Stoneware. Unique.
Easy chair designed by Uno Åhrén for Mobilia, Sweden. 1925. Rosewood and velvet. Swedish Grace sofa designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden. 1929. Mahogany frame with exotic wood inlay. Fabric upholstery. Pair of floor lamps ‘Model 2424’ designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1930’s. Brass and silk shades.
Modernity 230 - 236 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2RH sebastien.holt@modernity.se +44 7712717719