Svenskt Tenn Academy

Svenskt Tenn Academy

In conjunction with Svenskt Tenn’s first centenary, we are seizing the opportunity to delve into the company’s rich history. Throughout the year, there will be a chance to enroll in the Svenskt Tenn Academy – a series of four lectures and panel discussions exploring the company's history and evolution.

A century has passed since the founding of Svenskt Tenn. From timeless pewter designs under the guidance of founder Estrid Ericson to the remarkable collaboration with Austrian architect and designer Josef Frank that spanned for more than three decades. 100 years of characteristic interior design, patterns, furniture, and textiles, along with numerous collaborations with some of the most skilled craftsmen and designers of our time.

In this lecture series, we invite you to join inspiring talks and engaging discussions with representatives from Svenskt Tenn and external experts. Together, we will delve into the fearless aesthete Estrid Ericson and her resolute start: her move to Stockholm, and how it all began with a small pewter workshop on Smålandsgatan in Stockholm. We will get to know Josef Frank, sometimes described as an ‘accidental designer’, and how the legacy they both left behind is preserved through an unwavering focus on craftsmanship, quality, and sustainability.

Svenskt Tenn Academy

Pewter: a timeless metal

In the second part of the Svenskt Tenn Academy we delve into pewter – this timeless and beautiful material that experienced a renaissance in the first half of the 20th century. We explore what pewter has meant for the world of design in general and Svenskt Tenn in particular. We share the story of pewter’s journey to Strandvägen and highlight the history of the metal, from the 17th century to today. We also get an insight into the remarkable craftsmanship behind some of Svenskt Tenn’s most iconic pewter pieces.

Thursday 2 May 2024
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Svenskt Tenn, Strandvägen 5, Stockholm

Speakers:
Per Ahldén, Curator Archives and Collections, Svenskt Tenn
Christofer Wikner, Design historian and specialist at Stockholms Auktionsverk
Oskar Hammar, founder of Humstorp Metal
Moderator: Susanne Ljung, Journalist Stil i P1

Refreshments and appetizers will be served from Café Svenskt Tenn during the event.
Cost: 200 SEK per person, payable upon registration. Limited space. Registration is binding and non-refundable.

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Svenskt Tenn Academy

Estrid Ericson – The Fearless Aesthete
Finished event

The inaugural session of the Svenskt Tenn Academy focuses on Estrid Ericson's initial years as an entrepreneur – a visionary ahead of her time. We discover the story of how the drawings teacher from Hjo founded what would become one of Stockholm’s most elegant interior design stores. We get to follow her work, drive, and entrepreneurship from the move to Stockholm, through her employment at Svensk Hemslöjd (“Swedish Handicrafts”) and Vackrare Vardagsvara (“More Beautiful Everyday Things”), to the establishment of Svenskt Tenn. We find out how she very early on distinguished herself by connecting with some of the most skilled designers of the time and by showcasing the designs of Svenskt Tenn internationally. We will also delve into the contemporary society of the time, exploring the 1920s art scene in Sweden and the challenges that Estrid Ericson faced.

The panel discussion on Estrid Ericson – The Fearless Aesthete has been concluded. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter below for information on upcoming discussions and lectures.