Established in 1607 by King Carl IX and running without pause for over 400 years, the story of the Swedish brass company Skultuna has all the makings a riveting historical screenplay or novel. The history is replete with theatrical details: it was a scout sent on the Crown’s business that determined the factory site, settling on Skultuna thanks to its richness in water, coal, and copper that the production factory would require to operate. There’s also drama in its storied past. Once the factory floated away on a stream, and three times it has burned entirely down to the ground.
Despite these setbacks, the brass foundry prevailed and still plays an important role in Swedish heritage. They are the market leader of cuff links in Sweden, of which they have over 150 designs, including the Royal Wedding Series created in 2010 when Skultuna was commissioned to produce the cufflinks and jewellery for the Royal wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.
Early on, the main items produced at the foundry consisted of brass plates, candlesticks, and chandeliers. Though the collections have greatly expanded in modern times and been extended to include fashion accessories and home goods, some of their original candlestick and chandelier designs are still produced, providing a direct link to the past and aligning the company’s trajectory in a clear linear fashion. With each design whether it be new or from antiquity, the company works with the aim to create the antiques and heirlooms of the future and to celebrate the traditional Nordic values of quality, timelessness, and craftsmanship. In collaborations with renowned Scandinavian and international designers like Lara Bohinc, Richard Hutten, Luca Nichetto, Claesson Koivisto Rune, and Monica Förster they reinforce their reputation as artisans and craftsmen.
The brand’s popularity is not the least bit diminished with time, and the factory –still in its original site – is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sweden with over 150,000 visitors every year.