Svenskt Tenn Swedish Pewter Panther Letter Opener, Art Deco, 1930
Price:4500 SEK401 EUR432 USDChange Currency
Width 1.8 cm (1 inches) x Length 24 cm (10 inches)
An unusual Swedish Art Deco pewter letter opener by Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, dating to the 1930s.
The letter opener features a beautifully stylised panther forming the handle, with an elongated, gently curved body, raised head and extended tail. The animal's front paws rest near the junction with the long, tapering blade, while its hind legs support the handle. Small engraved markings along the body suggest the animal's coat and add texture to the otherwise smooth pewter surface.
The elegant silhouette combines sculptural design with practical function, reflecting the playful animal-inspired objects produced by Svenskt Tenn during the late 1920s and 1930s.
The blade bears Svenskt Tenn's distinctive angel trademark. No date mark is present.
The design may be attributed to either Björn Trägårdh or Anna Petrus, both of whom created animal-inspired pewter objects for Svenskt Tenn during this period. Trägårdh designed a similarly constructed alligator-shaped letter opener in 1929, while Petrus was particularly known for her sculptural interpretations of animals, including panthers.