Nils Jonsson was a Swede as best I know, which makes it pretty unlikely that the designed for a Danish company. There are not a lot of cross border designers. So, I would say that Nils Jonsson extremely unlikely to be the designer. Just about any Danish designer is more likely. (I imagine the Nils Jonsson attribution came about when somebody noticed the seeming similarity between the handles on some sideboards that Nils Jonsson designed for Troeds in Bjarnum, Sweden)
25XX views and still no IDed designer?! I would definitely say it's Danish, not from Nils Jonsson, but (sorry Mr. Ericson) according to the very nice design I wouldn't say it's a 'generic'. Because no one _ so far _ was able to identify the designer doesn't mean it can't be claimed by a major Danish designer. If I'm wrong (which happened already, too many times in my opinion!), I would at least have no regrets since I sold an identical one for nothing a year ago. PS: awesome forum and great identification work from all of you by the way
I decided to do a bit of digging. And Tørring Møbelfabrik still exists:
http://torring.com/EN/About-Torring
And it was founded by a Hans Nikolaj Jensen in 1911. So we have been reading the "HJN" logo wrong, it is actually to be read as HNJ Møbler.
Perhaps someone cares to write a nice email to the current directorship of Tørring, which appears to be in the same family, and inquire about who designed their furniture in the 1950s-1970s. Maybe they still retain some interesting old documents and photos.
More digging: Hans Nikolaj Jensen's son was Peter Arenkiel Jensen. And here is a later Tørring piece with "design:Arenkiel" on the label. (it should also be noted that the Arenkiel name shows up in every following generation).
I don't believe it is entirely clear which family member is specifically referred to by Arenkiel, or if it generally refers to the family, but my guess would be Peter Arenkiel Jensen is being identified as the designer.
@Deja-Design: my brother agrees with you, he thinks it was made by a major designer but still hasn’t been able to find out who it was. I personally know very little on Scandinavian design.
I tried to deter my brother (and partner) from paying for such info but he can’t wait and as a last resort he will seriously consider posting on the previously mentioned website specializing in period documentation to get an answer... If we get anything positive from it I would be happy to share the info here; you have all been so helpful with us!
There are actually two companies named Torring registered in Denmark:
* Torring A/S: based in Vejle and a part of a larger danish group. Founded by HN Jensen. Director: Mr Bent Cartsen Henriksen.
* Tørring Møbelfabrik ApS (official name: H.N. Jensens Møbelfabrik ApS). Based in Tørring. Directors: Mr Hans Nikolaj Arenkiel Jensen & Mr Otto Arenkiel Jensen. Unfortunatly it appears that this company has closed recently.
It appears that the Jensens sold their activity to TS Inventar in 2012 but the original company remained active at least until 2015.
http://www.wood-supply.dk/article/view/76390/torring_mobelfabrik_flytter...
@ CindyNY: Hans Nikolaj Arenkiel Jensen is the grandson of the founder Hans Nikolaj Jensen so I guess contacting him would solve the question of who designed the furnitures... I haven't been able to find an email but it's pretty easy to find a postal adress and/or telephone number (in Danish). It will cost you a stamp and some time but it will probably be very rewarding...
From what I understood, when Tørring Møbelfabrik sold its activity to TS Inventar in 2012, it became Torring in Vejle but Tørring remained somewhat active as I could find financial information from 2015.
So yes, the two companies are connected. I just don't think contacting Torring A/S will help much.
@Leif: We are getting inquiries every single day on that secretary. We have a ‘not for sale yet’ tag on it since we are still looking for the designer and want to sell it at the right price. Design Addict Forum has been looking for the designer since 10/2013 and no one was able to provide the info – nor could Lauritz in 02/2014. I called, emailed and got no answer from a dozen of makers, art galleries, auctioneers, etc., so I’m trying out another source and I’m sure you’ll understand our situation. Yes it just cost me $100 but it says I’ll get my money back if they fail to identify the designer. What’s my risk? (Or it’s a scam and I took this one for the team!) As said previously, I’ll be happy to share the info with you all if I get any proof from the site.
@Dr Poulet: I checked my emails to late and have already posted my already online an hour ago! But I will contact this gentleman right away and try to have some info from him as well. Thank you soooo much!
Well, if you read the user agreement on that site, you can get two free days access to the "databanks" in lieu of getting your money back. But go for it. I am sure that someone will appreciate the money.
And, the designer of the whole line of these HNJ Møbler / Tørring Møbelfabrik pieces was identified up there with the maker's tag that says the designer is "Arenkiel." So it is interesting that you are still looking, seeing as the answer has been found.
@leif: I really appreciate your feed-backs, you have been extremely helpful. Thank you again. But my brother says we can't use this as a proof for our clients since the tag is from another furniture. He is looking for an old newspaper or book in which it was published and that we could store it in the secretary (as we do with all our furniture: our clients love it!). I can see that in previous ID topics, some people would provide such documentation. That would be just perfect 🙂
@Deja-Design: I'm afraid I can't give the name on the forum (Basic Rules #2), but maybe a link will do?? here it is: ...
(edited by DA - link removed - no advertising please)
@Deja-design: I don't think it would be too nice to post someone's adress on a message board but if you look for Tørring Møbelfabrik ApS in the danish phone directory ( http://www.degulesider.dk/) you will find the adress you are looking for.
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