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3daysofdesign copenhagen

Emerson Bailey Mixes the Historic and Contemporary at 3DaysofDesign in Copenhagen

The U.S. and Sweden-based gallery Emerson Bailey made its 3daysofdesign debut last week in Copenhagen, bringing together the past and present of Scandinavian design.

Perhaps second only to the design itself, venues play a critical role in drawing visitors to exhibitions and activations during bustling international design fairs. This was certainly true in Copenhagen last week as the city hosted the largest iteration of its annual 3daysofdesign festival to date. From June 12-14, over 400 events—nearly double the run in 2023—unfolded across the city’s vibrant building stock, a blend of impeccably preserved historic and contemporary spaces that celebrate Copenhagen’s rich Scandinavian heritage.

One such space, hidden behind a tower of scaffolding amid a bustling historic renovation, served as the ideal venue for “Centuries,” the design week-debut exhibition for US- and Sweden-based gallery Emerson Bailey. Located within the dilapidated former headquarters of the Danish Association of Craftsmen, the exhibition “is an examination of past and present,” said Emerson Bailey founder, Susan Weiss. “It felt fitting that our location,” which is currently undergoing a refresh to bring the building up to code while respecting its original 1807 design, “shares the same reverence for historic and contemporary Scandinavian design and craft history,” said Weiss.

3daysofdesign copenhagen Installation view of “Centuries” at Emerson Bailey, photo by Fanny Radvik.

“Centuries” Examines the Past and Present of Design at 3daysofdesign

The collaboration between Weiss, a Montana-based interior designer, and Swedish antiques dealer, Daniel Larsson, has enabled Emerson Bailey to curate an impressive collection of Scandinavian design, focusing on both historic and contemporary works. For “Centuries,” the gallery showcases a mix of new and celebrated designs from Nordic contemporary brands such as Sekt, Näfveqvarn, TONI Copenhagen, Cappelen Dimyr, and Caia Leifsdotter, alongside a selection of antique and vintage pieces that trace the evolution of Scandinavian design.

Show-stopping cast iron works from Näfveqvarn punctuate the salon-like setting. Established in the 1620s, Näfveqvarn is one of Sweden’s oldest design brands. The company gained international recognition for their outdoor furnishings and accessories at the 1925 World’s Fair in Paris, but eventually shuttered due to bankruptcy in the 1990s. In 2018, Näfveqvarn resumed handcrafted production in Sweden, reintroducing its famous early 20th-century products, such as the stone-topped garden table designed by Swedish architect Folke Bensow. “As an antiques dealer, coming across an original one of these tables is like hitting the lottery,” said Larsson. “It was originally designed to be an outdoor table, but it is so beautiful most collectors keep them inside.”

3daysofdesign copenhagen Installation view of “Centuries” at Emerson Bailey, photo by Fanny Radvik.

“We see 3daysofdesign as an opportunity to appreciate and highlight the ways in which Scandinavian design is impacting the global industry,”

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— Susan Weiss

Contemporary productions of historic design continue in the form of solid brass hardware from TONI Copenhagen, Denmark’s oldest manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Operating out of the same Copenhagen factory since 1918, TONI has been producing the highly sculptural yet functional SP Tap since 1935.

Suspended overhead, new lighting from Malmö, Sweden-based design studio Sekt paid homage to the Swedish oil lamps of the 18th century. Formed from mouth-blown glass and handmade metal components, the launch introduced three new colorways to the Sekt catalog- Ash, Dusty Green, and Old Rose. Below, Danish creative collective Cappelen Dimyr presented their new handwoven rug, No. 23, a traditional Scandinavian checked pattern mixing short and long boxes in a blend of jute and wool, alongside their No. 19 rug made from light melange beige wool with subtle gray-brown stripes.

3daysofdesign copenhagen Installation view of “Centuries” at Emerson Bailey, photo by Fanny Radvik.

Showcasing the Evolution of Scandinavian Design in Copenhagen

The exhibition also featured a selection of antique and vintage pieces that trace the evolution of Scandinavian design. Among these treasures were sofa tables made from recovered floor tiles from a defunct 16th-century Swedish church, a Baroque cabinet and desk from the 18th century, and a Gustavian sofa from the 19th century. Notable 20th-century pieces included an Arne Vodder armchair and a Frits Henningsen sofa.

As the festival’s events unfold throughout Copenhagen’s cobblestoned streets and winding canals, visitors were immersed in the city’s rich design heritage. “We see 3daysofdesign as an opportunity to appreciate and highlight the ways in which Scandinavian design is impacting the global industry,” said Weiss. “We wanted to take this moment to reflect on the region’s contemporary Scandinavian works within their historical context.”

3daysofdesign copenhagen Installation view of “Centuries” at Emerson Bailey, photo by Fanny Radvik.
3daysofdesign copenhagen Installation view of “Centuries” at Emerson Bailey, photo by Fanny Radvik.

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Featured image credits: Installation view of "Centuries" at Emerson Bailey, photo by Fanny Radvik.

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