Interview with Jenny von Platen

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am a third-generation antique dealer, on the female side, which is unusual! But I studied economics because as a young person I had no plans to follow in my mother’s and grandmother’s footsteps. This was the late 1980s and I was going to be a yuppie!

But then I started helping my mom at the Antiques Fair in Stockholm, she exhibited there every year. And it was great fun! In 2000 I left my job as an economist and opened a small antique shop in Malmö. From the start, it was 20th century design that was my main interest. Now, 24 years later, I think I have the most fun job in the world! In my shop I have furniture, textiles, art and interior details. Firma Svenskt Tenn is one of my favorite areas. Also textiles such as woven textiles from Märta Måås-Fjetterström or printed textiles from NK’s Textilkammare. In addition to buying and selling objects from the 20th century, I am a writer for the magazine Antik & Auktion, give lectures and do exhibitions.

You are co-organizing the tribute exhibition during the 2024 Antiques Fair. How did this idea come about and what is your role in the project?

Many Svenskt Tenn lovers, like me, have been looking forward to 2024! Because this year Firma Svenskt Tenn celebrates 100 years! The founder Estrid Ericson opened her shop in October 1924. It was located on Smålandsgatan in Stockholm and for the first few years it was only pewter objects in the range. 1927 the move went to Strandvägen where the store is still located today which is fantastic. When I was asked if I had any suggestions for an exhibition at the Antiques Fair 2024, Svenskt Tenn celebrates 100 years was a given answer!

My role in the project is to plan the exhibition area, which is 250 square meters in size, and to fill it with exciting objects and interiors. It’s wonderful to be able to delve into the history of Svenskt Tenn, it contains so much. There is a lot of design history, of course, but also other things, such as starting and running a business as a woman in 1920s Sweden and living and working in wartime.

What makes the exhibition so exclusive? Is there something that cannot be experienced elsewhere?

This is a historical exhibition with many older objects, such as early pewter from the 1920s and 30s. The furniture and textiles on display are also largely unusual models and designs that rarely appear on the second-hand market. Most of these items are no longer in production. Josef Frank, the Austrian architect who joined Svenskt Tenn in 1934 and worked there for the rest of his life, was incredibly prolific. Some of his pieces have been produced for many years, while others are more rare. Frank’s furniture for Svenskt Tenn is almost never signed or labeled, so the more models you know, the more likely you are to recognize them when bargain hunting.

The exhibits have been borrowed from private individuals around Sweden and from antique dealers exhibiting at the fair, as well as from Svenskt Tenn, which makes the exhibition rich in content, broad and above all completely unique. Here, high is mixed with low, just as Estrid Ericson often did herself in her interiors.

Do you have a favorite item in the exhibition?

I have many favorites, but I am particularly fascinated by the National Museum Cabinet. The name comes from the fact that the National Museum bought a copy in 1952 when they had a large exhibition with Josef Frank and Svenskt Tenn. Josef Frank’s furniture drawing from 1938 says Cabinet with 21 drawers, but it only has 19. He must have changed the design at the last minute. And that says so much about Josef Frank and his exceptional sense of proportion and balance. The number of drawers and the size of the drawers are carefully composed and together they form a beautiful pattern. And if you look closely, you can see the undulating line that runs vertically, from top to bottom. Frank was a functionalist architect, but he liked to add an organic or humanistic element to his work. Just look at his fabric pattern Manhattan. He was attracted by the way Manhattan’s rectangular street grid is enlivened by Broadway, which irregularly winds from north to south. Plus, there’s a typo hidden in the Manhattan pattern. It was also typical Frank – he had a sense of humor!

What do you think is the best thing about Antikmässan?

The best part is seeing and experiencing so many antiques under one roof. The range is huge. And so are the attractions!

As a visitor, I think you should take the opportunity to listen to the fine presentations on stage. You should also take the opportunity to talk to the traders, ask questions and ask them to tell you about the objects and designers. We are happy to do so!

As an exhibitor, I appreciate meeting my customers again. We meet once a year and that is in Älvsjö. I exhibited for the first time in 2001 and over the years I have made many new acquaintances who share my interest in 20th century design. Both my customers and I learn something new every year and discover new designer names and favorites. It is stimulating!