This is the story of the struggle between aesthetics and function and how 91视频 created a royal hunting stool, handed over as a gift to his Majesty The King in connection with LiU鈥檚 50th anniversary celebrations.
Martin Altwegg monterar sitsen på den kungliga pallen. Photographer: Malmstens
It was Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson who contacted Head of Division Alessandra Di Pisa at Malmstens on Campus Lidingö with a very special order. Not very detailed but still getting the imagination going: “make a gadget that can serve as a gift to His Majesty The King. It will be handed over when he participates in our 50th anniversary celebration.”
“You get a bit nervous when you receive such an order. Your pulse goes up, it has to be something special,” recalls Leó Johánnsson at Malmstens, who became project manager in a group consisting of Simon Bågstam, Jonas Wallinder, Martin Altwegg and Inger Oppmark.
Fotograf: Malmste
So, the question for the working group was “what are we good at?”, and anyone who knows the staff and students at Malmstens knows that they can make many things. Caskets and boxes, for example. Something to put in a nice wooden box, perhaps? But how many nice gifts in nice caskets or boxes does a king get? Chances are that the box will be placed among many other boxes in a box storage.
“We concluded that it would be more fun if the gift could be used, something that could stand for itself. Something that The King could find useful,” explains associate professor Leó Johánnsson.
“So we came to think about The King's interest in hunting. We suggested to the Vice-Chancellor that we could make a hunting stool, presented in a beautiful box. ‘Never mind the box,’ the Vice-Chancellor said, ‘a hunting stool will be perfect!’”
Stable and beautifulFotograf: Malmstens
The result of a few weeks of work is a fairly traditional hunting stool, mostly because a hunting stool looks like it does for a reason - it has to function in the forest. A tripod stool, as these stand firmly on uneven ground. Legs of ash wood, which is a strong wood, brass fittings and a reinforced leather seat made with leather from Tärnsjö. And to crown it all - a knob in turned curly birch. A highly functional stool made of beautiful material. But the curly birch idea nearly overturned the project.
“We were pressed for time and this had to be done in addition to our regular tasks, so when we discovered that we didn’t have a big enough piece of curly birch in stock, things got a bit stressful,” says Leó Johánnsson.
But it is good to have friends and friends’ acquaintances, and a master turner in Nässjö had an optimal piece of curly birch that was transported to Stockholm with the help of an art dealer on a temporary visit.
“Yes, a lot of people have been involved in this gift. It has also welded us together on campus and added a lot of energy, which has been inspiring in the midst of all the stress,” says Leó Johánnsson.
A support for life
No one in the team is a hunter, but the functionality of a hunting stool was easy to understand. But there was also the request that it should be beautiful. For example, should the legs be made of wood or light metal?
“We discussed every detail and had to balance function and aesthetics. We think we’ve reached a good balance – not only will the stool work well and last a long time, it’s also very beautiful. It’s also unique, the only one made! And adapted to its owner’s height,” explains Leo Johannesson.
A hunting stool does not necessarily have to be used only in the forest. It could be nice to have on long walks or during future walks at, for example, jubilating universities. During the process, photographic evidence emerged that The King had lent his old hunting stool to Queen Silvia. She used it as a cane after having foot surgery. To prevent the stool/stick from getting lost, there is a laser inscription on one of its legs.
Does it come with a lifetime warranty?
“We know it will last a long time. The leather seat may possibly wear out over time, even though it comes from what is perhaps Europe’s best tannery and is supported by a strengthening weave underneath,” says Leó Johánnsson.
And the story of the royal hunting stool will surely live long at Malmstens. The stool turned out really well, but it was also a fun assignment that involved many discussions and created great energy in the group!
Fotograf: Malmstens
The royal hunting stool was presented during the King's visit to Linköping University on 26 May. According to Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson, the gift was well received:
“His Majesty was very pleased with the gift. He expressed curiosity about its construction and remarked that it would certainly come in handy. He even smiled when he noted that it had been crafted by our colleagues at Malmstens. However, due to a tight schedule, His Majesty did not have the opportunity to try it out.”
Fotograf: Malmstens
Short facts
The working group consisted of:
Leo Johannsson (project manager and responsible for turning, polishing and surface treatment)
Martin Altwegg (CNC machining)
Simon B氓gstam (responsible for drawing, laser work)
Inger Oppmark (leather and sewing work)
Jonas Wallinder (fittings)
End costumer: King Carl XVI Gustaf
Client: Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson
Order recipient: Alessandra Di Pisa
Carrier: Professor Mattias Lindahl
The working group consisted of:
Leo Johannsson (project manager and responsible for turning, polishing and surface treatment)
Martin Altwegg (CNC machining)
Simon B氓gstam (responsible for drawing, laser work)
Inger Oppmark (leather and sewing work)
Jonas Wallinder (fittings)
End costumer: King Carl XVI Gustaf
Client: Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson
Order recipient: Alessandra Di Pisa
Carrier: Professor Mattias Lindahl
