OntwerperSwedish
Nils Jonsson
5 actieve items
Nils Jonsson came up through the Swedish furniture trade in the practical tradition, beginning as an apprentice in a furniture workshop before developing the design sensibility that would define his most productive years. His career became closely identified with Troeds, the furniture manufacturer founded in 1934 by Svea and Hugo Troedsson in the small Skåne community of Bjärnum. Troeds built its reputation on export-quality teak furniture at a moment when Scandinavian modern was finding eager markets across Britain, continental Europe, and North America.
Jonsson's contribution to Troeds was central. Working alongside Yngve Ekström, another designer associated with the factory, he developed a range of furniture that balanced restrained, functional forms with the warmth of natural timber. His designs were built for everyday use, pieces that could sit comfortably in a family dining room or a modest flat without demanding attention, while rewarding closer inspection with well-resolved proportions and careful joinery.
The sideboard "Arild" is the piece most closely associated with Jonsson's name. Produced in teak as standard, but also available in jacaranda and rosewood for buyers willing to pay the premium, it featured sliding doors, ample drawer storage, and tapered legs that lifted the case off the floor with a lightness that heavier furniture of the era often lacked. The piece exemplified the Troeds approach: solid construction, clean silhouette, material honestly expressed. The "Garmi" dining chair, another Jonsson design, paired with the "Malta" extendable dining table to form a coordinated suite that became one of Troeds' most recognised export sets in the early 1960s.
Troeds advertised in British shelter magazines through the early-to-mid 1960s, and Jonsson's name appeared alongside the model names in these campaigns, an unusual acknowledgment of the designer in an era when furniture manufacturers more often promoted the brand alone. This visibility contributed to the durable association between his name and the pieces he produced for the company.
On the Nordic secondary market, Jonsson's Troeds furniture holds steady demand, particularly among buyers restoring mid-century Scandinavian interiors. Auctionist records 78 items across 5 active listings, with storage and cabinet pieces making up the largest share (36 items), followed by tables (18) and chairs (15). The strongest prices appear at Crafoord Malmö, Helsingborg, and SAV Sickla. Top recent sales include an "Arild" sideboard in jacaranda at 12,505 SEK and a teak "Arild" at 11,515 SEK; a combined "Malta" table and "Garmi" chairs set reached 10,000 SEK. Jacaranda and rosewood examples consistently outperform standard teak, reflecting both the relative scarcity of the premium veneers and the appetite for richer tones in the current market.