1930s Swedish Grace 2ct Tourmaline ring
A strict and classic piece that is as modern and contemporary as the day it was made. The green tourmaline, a nice clean saturated stone that measures 9,55 x 7 mm, flanked by 2 x 0,02ct old cut diamonds and an additional 12 rose cut diamonds. Signed Hugo Strömdahl (HS), Stockholm 1936
Ø16½ mm, us size 6, shank 1,3 – 11 mm wide, weight 2.9grams. Some minimal marks to the tourmaline only visible on close inspection. In good condition according to age.
Almost a hundred years ago, a new aesthetic expression was launched that received great global attention and came to define Sweden’s identity as a design nation.
The term Swedish Grace was coined by Philip Morton Shand, a British architectural critic, after he visited the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition. The great Paris Exhibition of 1925 brought an international breakthrough for Swedish design. The exhibition was called “Exposition internationale des Arts décoratifs et industriel modernes” hence the term “Art Deco”. Sweden’s participation was a great success, 31 Grand Prix, 44 gold medals, 38 silver medals, 14 bronze medals, 29 honorary diplomas and 12 honorary mentions, only France received more medals.
Art Déco is characterized by symmetrical shapes and straight lines, and modern materials. It was a style that exuded luxury, joie de vivre and faith in the future. Simple elegance with carefully thought-out details characterized the design during the twenties and thirties. Craftsmanship and quality were in focus, both regarding execution and aesthetics. No wonder the period continues to be so sought after.
About the maker: Hugo Strömdahl was the son of dairyman Hjalmar Julius Strömdahl and Ebba Amanda Fredrika Sundblad. After completing his studies at a vocational school and the Technical School, he went from 1896 to 1900 as a goldsmith’s apprentice with the jeweler John Pettersson. He practiced for four years at AB Hertz as a jeweler and studied in Berlin before starting his own jeweler’s company in 1905, where he was active until his death. Among his works, “The Vasa Tiara” is notable, which was Stockholms’ gift to Princess Märtha of Sweden when she married 1929 with King (to be) Olav V of Norway. In 1936 Hugo Strömdahl, the year this ring was made, was appointed court jeweler to the Swedish crown.
