There’s something special about getting out that Christmas box at the beginning of December to decorate your home with elves, brass details and Christmas textiles. For many, Christmas is a time to bring loved ones together – but it’s also a time for inspiration and the opportunity to decorate with classic Christmas items. We asked design historian Maria Perers why Christmas is associated with beautiful and meaningful objects.
– Various events in life and during the year have always been occasions that have generated objects. Especially around the holidays, there have been special things that we pick up, says Maria Perers and adds:
– Something that feels a bit unique about housing in Sweden is that there are window sills. In other words, we have the opportunity to have different types of cozy lighting in the windows. Putting an Advent candlestick in the window is therefore easy for most people.
1. Josef Frank candlestick Slingan
In many homes, this candlestick from Svenskt Tenn is a treasure that can be varied endlessly thanks to its neutral shape. With red or green candles, it becomes a given to use as an Advent candlestick on a table or in a window.
The design historian:
– The candlestick has a very simple shape with its brass band that undulates. It has a dynamic and simplicity. Then it may not have these classic attributes such as being able to put moss in it, but I can well understand that many people use it for Christmas. All candlesticks that can hold four candles are reminiscent of an Advent candlestick,” says Maria Perers.
2. Angel glass game for Christmas
A nice example of a more old-fashioned Christmas decoration is an angel glass. For many of us, the jingle is a signal that Christmas is near and can certainly be something that brings back nostalgic memories. That’s why putting all the little pieces together for Christmas is often a joyful experience for children and adults alike.
The design historian:
– It was a German tin toy company that patented the angel glass game in the early 1900s. But when the Second World War broke out and put an end to exports to Sweden, we started making our own in this country. Erik Boberg is considered to be the one who started the production of the classic Swedish angel glass game. They became very popular here in Sweden and also had a big impact in the USA, among other places.
– The design has changed over time. The first German version, for example, had more pling when spinning and was made of tin. Our Swedish brass version gives a warm glow, has fewer parts and a simpler look. Now there are even angel glasses with no pling!
3. Top star from Georg Jensen
There are many stars to put on the top of the decorated tree, but one of the favorites is this brass version from the 90s. You can often find Georg Jensen’s Christmas star and various Christmas tree decorations at Tradera’s auctions.
The design historian:
– There is something alluring about objects that are linked to rituals. It’s a ritual for many people to dress the tree every year and put up that top star. It’s like Christmas! That’s probably a contributing factor to the popularity of the top star.
– Georg Jensen has a tradition of hiring designers to design Christmas items and has made something special of it. The Top Star and many other Christmas items were designed by Flemming Eskildsen who worked for Georg Jensen for over 50 years. “Even though Christmas plates are hopelessly passé for many people, these Christmas tree decorations from Georg Jensen are all the more popular,” says Maria Perers.
4. Electric candlestick from Konstsmide
Among popular Christmas items, a candle holder is a modern element that brightens up many homes. Although there are many different variants with different designs, a seven-armed candleholder is classic and based on an old tradition.
The design historian:
– The funny thing about this candlestick is that it is a good example of a Swedish invention. It was Oskar Andersson at Philips in Gothenburg who came up with the idea of putting candles from the Christmas tree lighting in a wooden candlestick. It was a great success when it went into production in 1937.
– The reason why the Advent candlestick has seven candles is because we started lighting a candle for each day of the week, every Sunday in Advent. Then we simplified the whole thing by switching to having four candles in a candlestick instead of a tree. The Advent tree on the table was replaced by the new Advent candlestick in the 1920s and 30s. I recommend anyone who wants to learn more to read Lena Kättström Höök’s book God Jul!
5. Lisa Larson’s Advent Children and Santas
There are many designers who have been significant and created beloved objects, but Lisa Larson is perhaps one of the more prolific creators. Her various ceramics and ornaments reflect the times in which she lived and can often be linked to specific events, seasons and holidays.
The design historian:
– Lisa Larson’s figures have been popular since the 1950s and she has a special place in the design of the folk home. Christmas items create variation throughout the year – something that Lisa Larson contributes to with her Advent Children or Santas.
Text: Amanda Blennborn, freelance journalist
