Eric Löfman

In 1948, at the age of twenty-three, Löfman was appointed artistic director of K.G. Markströms Guldsmeds AB (MGAB) in Uppsala, a position he would hold for decades. MGAB, registered from 1913 to 1992 at Vaksalagatan 30, was one of Sweden's principal silver manufacturers. Under Löfman's direction, the firm produced both secular and ecclesiastical silver of consistently high quality. His role extended beyond design into overseeing the entire artistic output of the workshop, including the training of younger silversmiths. He later also worked as a designer for MEMA in Linköping and for Guldsmedsaktiebolaget (GAB) in Stockholm, broadening his influence across the Swedish silver industry.

Löfman is best known for three flatware patterns that became staples of Swedish silver tableware. "Uppsala," with its clean beaded detailing, is perhaps the most widely collected; it was produced in 830 silver across large service sets, some exceeding ninety pieces. "Sten Sture," named after the medieval Swedish regent, carries a more restrained profile suited to formal settings. "Birgitta" rounds out the trio. All three patterns were manufactured over extended production runs from the 1950s through the 1980s, and their continued presence in the secondary market speaks to both their original popularity and their durability as designs.

Beyond flatware, Löfman designed hand-hammered bowls, sterling coffee and tea services, candlesticks, candelabra, and beakers. His hollowware often features the controlled surface textures and organic proportions characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian metalwork. He also produced church silver, including commissions for Örbyhus Church and Storvreta Chapel, both in Uppland. A 1958 photograph in the Upplandsmuseet collection shows Löfman at work on bridal crowns at the MGAB workshop, an image that captures the breadth of his practice, from everyday cutlery to ceremonial objects.

Löfman's work is held at Upplandsmuseet in Uppsala and appears regularly at auction across Nordic houses. His output of 116 recorded lots spans primarily silver and metals, with candlesticks and lighting also well represented. The leading auction venues for his work include Stockholms Auktionsverk, Göteborgs Auktionsverk, Växjö Auktionskammare, and Crafoord Auktioner in Lund. Top realized prices reflect the strength of his large cutlery sets: an "Uppsala" service of 47 pieces reached 27,000 SEK, a cutlery set of 80 pieces sold for 26,500 SEK, and a "Sten Sture" service of 36 pieces achieved 16,100 SEK. His most striking result belongs to a seven-armed candelabra that sold for 34,889 EUR, demonstrating that Löfman's decorative silver can command significant prices alongside his flatware.