Swiss design promoter, Teo Jakob, dies aged 77

Teo Jakob, the Swiss design promoter and founder of the interior store of the same name, favoured modern and functional furniture. teojakob.ch

Teo Jakob, the Swiss designer and founder of the interior design company which bears his name, has died at the age of 77. Jakob died in his native Berne from cancer.

Teo Jakob was a pioneer in the realm of furniture design and a patron of numerous Swiss artists and designers. Jakob’s distinctive modern and functional style set him apart and served to make his name a household one.

Jakob took over his father’s furniture design business when he died in 1950. The young Jakob decided to sell modern furniture, rather than the classic models the firm had stocked since it was opened in 1914.

In 1958, he launched his personal collection, Swiss Design.

From a young age, Jakob began collecting works of art. About 400 paintings and sculptures from his collection have been bequeathed, in accordance with his wishes, to his foundation.

Jakob’s 10 sales companies for home and office furniture recorded a profit for 1999 which exceeded SFr50 million.

swissinfo with agencies