EWALD DAHLSKOG "AFRICA" MARQUETRY PANELS for the M/S Stockholm in 1938

The Swedish America Line commissioned the M/S Stockholm in 1938. Ewald Dahlskog's remit was to design 147 square meters of marquetry for the interior of the ship, making it Dahlskog's most significant project. The plan was to depict life on five continents from a cultural-historical point of view. This particular pair of panels/doors includes motifs from the African continent. Images of the Benin bronzes, a series of exquisite, centuries-old brass and bronze sculptures made for the Kingdom of Benin, are featured prominently on one of the panels.

Dahlskog used a large number of types of wood to create the marquetry, going so far as to select the raw material and monitor the sawing of the veneer. Experienced Italian woodworking experts completed the highly skilled work.

Before the ship could be delivered in 1939, fire broke out on 19 December 1938, most likely an electrical fire. Although some of the ship’s interiors were saved, it was considered a loss and was finally scrapped. However, if the ship had been delivered as planned, it would most likely have been converted for military use during World War II, as was the fate of so many other passenger liners such as The Queen Elisabeth and The Queen Mary.

These panels were in the possession of Ewald Dahlskog and his descendants since 1938. Additional documentation, including original correspondence, marquetry scheme for each panel.

Dimensions: Each panel is 7’ 8” tall, 34.” across, and 1.5” in depth.

In original condition, gently cleaned and waxed.