Vintage Extendable Dining Suite by Elias Svedberg for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden

This refined dining suite reflects the quiet sophistication and craftsmanship of Swedish modern design during the mid-20th century. Designed by Elias Svedberg for Nordiska Kompaniet’s Trivad by Elias Svedberg for Nordiska Kompaniet’s Triva series, circa 1940s–50s. The set captures the understated harmony and practicality that defined the Scandinavian approach to modern living.

 

The oval extendable dining table features a beautifully grained beechwood top with warm honey tones and softly rounded edges, supported by tapering cylindrical legs joined with precise NK workmanship. The table expands from circular to oval form, balancing functionality with graceful proportion.

 

The five matching dining chairs, display sculpted beech frames with gently curved backrests that offer exceptional comfort. Their refined silhouettes and thoughtful detailing embody the craftsmanship and design sensibility associated with NK’s Nyköping workshops.

 

A notable creation within the Triva series, this suite represents one of Sweden’s early ventures into modular, modern furniture production—conceived under the creative direction of Elias Svedberg and Lena Larsson during the 1940s–50s. It remains a hallmark of Nordiska Kompaniet’s contribution to Swedish modernism, where timeless design met high-quality craftsmanship.

 

Designer: Elias Svedberg (1903–1987)
Manufacturer: Nordiska Kompaniet (NK), Nyköping, Sweden
Date: circa 1940–1955
Condition: Presented in very good vintage condition. The set has been carefully restored and refinished to preserve its character while enhancing the warmth and depth of the wood. Minor veneer loss has been professionally repaired, and the surface display only light marks consistent with age and use, as shown in the accompanying photographs. The chairs have been newly reupholstered in high-quality FibreGuard fabric by Stuart Graham Fabrics, offering excellent durability and stain resistance suitable for everyday use.

One chair has undergone a professional stretcher repair, which has been carefully executed and reinforced. The chair remains structurally sound, and the repair does not detract from its overall presentation. It is included at no additional cost.

As with all authentic mid-century pieces, gentle signs of age remain and are considered part of their character.

Stamped: “NK Made in Sweden” and numbered “561-003.”
Dimensions: Table closed Diameter 115cm, extended 175cm, height 75cm

Chairs: H 77, W 46, D 49, Seat H 43 cm.

 

 

Elias Svedberg (1903–1987)

Elias Svedberg was a pioneering Swedish architect and designer whose work helped shape the principles of modern Scandinavian interior design. Trained at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Svedberg became a leading figure at Nordiska Kompaniet (NK), where he served as head architect for the interior design department from the 1930s onward.

In 1944, he launched the Triva series — a groundbreaking concept for modular, affordable, and well-crafted furniture that could be shipped flat-packed and easily assembled at home. Decades before IKEA popularised the idea, Svedberg and NK were already championing democratic design: furniture that combined quality craftsmanship, honest materials, and functional elegance.

His designs balanced technical innovation with warm simplicity, often using light woods like beech and birch, and featuring soft organic lines typical of Swedish modernism. Collaborating with designer Lena Larsson, he later developed the Triva-bo concept — complete room settings showcasing accessible modern living for postwar homes.

Svedberg’s contribution to design extended beyond furniture; he was instrumental in shaping Swedish exhibition design and interiors that reflected social progress and modern values. Today, his NK and Triva pieces are regarded as icons of early Scandinavian modern design — celebrated for their balance of craftsmanship, proportion, and enduring usability.

 

Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden

Since its founding, Nordiska Kompaniet—endearingly known as "NK"—has been a powerful platform for pioneering furniture designers. Its celebrated department stores in Stockholm and Gothenburg have featured the work of renowned mid-century modern and Scandinavian designers, establishing NK as a benchmark for quality and innovation. Founded in 1902 through the merger of K.M. Lundberg and Joseph Leja, NK was brought to life by Josef Sachs, who envisioned it as a cultural institution to rival Paris's luxury stores. This vision materialized in 1915 with the opening of its iconic Stockholm flagship.

NK's commitment to excellence in furniture design became evident early on, with Axel Einar Hjorth, a master cabinetmaker, leading its production from 1927 to 1938. A defining moment for NK and Scandinavian modernism came with the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition, where architect Sven Markelius's installation for NK showcased Swedish functionalism on an international stage.

Over the decades, NK collaborated with eminent designers such as Carl Bergsten, David Rosen, and Gio Ponti, producing iconic pieces—sofas, lounge chairs, bookcases, and dining tables—that have left an indelible mark on mid-century modern design. To this day, NK remains dedicated to championing progressive design and craftsmanship.

 

Photographed in natural light in our studio.

 

As with many quality Mid-Century pieces, this design thoughtfully pairs solid wood construction with a premium wood veneer—an approach widely used at the time to highlight beautiful grain patterns while ensuring lasting stability.

 

We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.