This exhibition organized by the American Swedish Historical Museum reunites the workshop and wares of Olof Althin (1859-1920), an immigrant cabinetmaker and antiques restorer in turn-of-the-century Boston. Throughout his life, Althin navigated the intersections between immigrant and American, reproducer and restorer, and designer and maker. Poised between these identities, Althin reveals the challenges of a cabinetmaker balancing economic enterprise with adherence to ideal-driven craft movements in the early-20th century American furniture trade.
The exhibition, American by Craft: The Furniture of Olof Althin was co-curated by Erica Lome and Trevor Brandt and was generously supported in part by a Failey grant from The Decorative Arts Trust. It will be on view at ASHM from July 23rd, 2021 through January 16th, 2022. Join us for a special members’ preview in person or on-line July 22nd at 5 pm.