Harald Notini

Harald Elof Notini (1879–1959) – Designer Profile
Interior Architect (SIR) · Sculptor · Artistic Director, Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik and Pukebergs Glasbruk
 
Biography and Origins
Harald Elof Notini was born on 26 December 1879 in the Johannes Parish in Stockholm and died on 25 March 1959 in Stockholm; he was buried at the Johannes churchyard. He was a member of the Svenska Inredningsarkitekters Riksförbund (SIR), the Swedish association of interior architects, and held three patents in the field of lighting technology.
The Notini family has Italian roots: Harald's grandfather, Johann Dominicas Nutini (1803–1875), emigrated from Italy in 1817 and arrived in Sweden in 1826 via France and Denmark. He was a trained stucco worker and ornamental sculptor who Swedified the family name to Notini. Harald's father, Axel Nicolaus Notini, was likewise an ornamental sculptor and stucco worker. Harald's mother was Augusta Katarina Konstantia Bourdin. He married Hilma Thudén in 1906 and had two children: Gösta Notini and Marita Notini-Nordquist. His brother Gunnar Notini was also active in the arts.
 
Education
Notini studied in his younger years at the Högre konstindustriella skolan in Stockholm, today known as Konstfack (the University of Arts, Crafts and Design), where he trained as a sculptor and interior architect. He subsequently deepened his knowledge through study periods in Germany and France, where he absorbed influences from the contemporary European art movements of the time.
 
Career at Böhlmarks Lampfabrik and Pukebergs Glasbruk (1916–1959)
In 1916, Notini was engaged as artistic director both of the Stockholm factory of Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik and of the glass production at Pukebergs Glasbruk in Nybro (Småland). This dual appointment gave him unique control over both luminaire design and glass production simultaneously. Notini remained with Böhlmarks throughout his entire professional life – the family genealogy records that 'Harald became faithful to his company for the rest of his life.' According to a commemorative publication for Böhlmarks' 75th anniversary (1947), he was still active with his own office and extensive responsibilities until the age of 79 (1958).
Given the enormous scope of the Böhlmarks product catalogues, Notini headed a design office with several employed designers. A significant collaborator was Uno Westerberg, who joined Böhlmarks as a glass designer in 1935. A joint luminaire by Notini and Westerberg – the chandelier model 12078 from the 1950s – is today held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
 
Stylistic Development and Creative Periods
Swedish Grace (1920s): Notini's early work displays the elegant Swedish Grace aesthetic – a Nordic variant of Neoclassicism with clean geometric forms, brass bodies and glass details. Documented models from this period include: 5188, 6051, 6353, 6658, 6834, 6839, 6891, 11258 and further models in the 6000 series. The ceiling lamp Model 6353 (1930s), with four cream-coloured glass shades, is regarded as a notable example of the Art Deco/Swedish Grace period.
Functionalism (1930s): During the 1930s, Notini aligned himself with the international functionalist movement. His rigorously reduced luminaires were presented at the 1930 Stockholmsutställningen – the defining exhibition of Swedish modernism. Models from this period include: 10532, 10960, 10974, 11258, 15084, 15101, 15144 and others. Characteristic materials are steel, chrome and lacquered metal in black, white and grey.
Swedish Modern (1940s–1950s): The mature work – today the most sought-after – presents the Swedish Modern aesthetic in its fully developed form: slender brass bodies on round bases, details in glass, wood (elm, mahogany) and leather, as well as woven rattan. Documented models include: 8589, 8661, 8721, 8772/5, 11262, 11263, 11326, 11372, 11475, 11553, 11555, 11858, 11895, 12078 (with Westerberg), 15028, 15103, 15144, 15233, 15250, 15296, 15368, 15409, 15413, 15474, 15484, 15566, 15582, 15770 and many others.
 
Three Lighting Patents
Harald Notini held three patents in the field of lighting technology. The specific patent numbers and contents are not detailed in the evaluated sources; their existence is documented by the Swedish Wikipedia biography.
 
Museum Collections
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York: chandelier model 12078 (Notini / Westerberg, 1950s). Nationalmuseum, Stockholm: works by Harald Notini (specific model not identified in the evaluated sources).
 
Auction Market
Historic Böhlmarks luminaires by Harald Notini are among the most sought-after collector's items in Swedish mid-century design. Stockholms Auktionsverk and Bukowskis in Stockholm regularly auction Notini models; at Bukowskis, individual matched pairs have been sold for several hundred thousand Swedish kronor. Internationally, Notini luminaires are traded on 1stDibs (over 87 active listings), Pamono, Bloomberry (NL), Collection Apart, The Oblist, MDRN.AT and further platforms under the categories 'Swedish Grace', 'Swedish Modern' and 'Scandinavian Mid-Century'. Realised auction prices are documented on MutualArt.
 
Note on Sources
The incorrect information that Notini was born on 30 October 1879 in Berlin, Germany, circulates in the Anglo-American vintage trade (including Studio Schalling). This information is demonstrably false. Correct source basis: Swedish Wikipedia (primary source) and Antikform (genealogy): born 26 December 1879, Johannes Parish, Stockholm. There is also a persistent confusion with a different Swedish architect of the same name (born 27 October 1892, died 6 September 1965 in Vaxholm), who designed concert halls. This is an entirely different person.
 
Key Data
Full name: Harald Elof Notini
Date and place of birth: 26 December 1879, Johannes Parish, Stockholm
Date of death and burial: 25 March 1959, Stockholm; Johannes Kyrkogård
Professional title: Interior architect (SIR), sculptor, designer (formgivare)
Family: Father Axel Nicolaus Notini (ornamental sculptor); mother Augusta Bourdin; grandfather Johann Dominicas Nutini (Italian immigrant, 1817/1826); wife Hilma Thudén (married 1906); children: Gösta Notini, Marita Notini-Nordquist; brother: Gunnar Notini
Education: Högre konstindustriella skolan, Stockholm (today Konstfack); study periods in Germany and France
Professional association: SIR (Svenska Inredningsarkitekters Riksförbund)
Patents: Three patents in the field of lighting technology
Active at Böhlmarks and Pukeberg: 1916 to c. 1958/1959
Design periods: Swedish Grace (1920s), Functionalism (1930s), Swedish Modern (1940s–50s)
Museums: MoMA New York (model 12078, with Uno Westerberg), Nationalmuseum Stockholm
Manufacturers: Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik, Stockholm; Pukebergs Glasbruk, Nybro