Description
This is an original Ericofon “Cobra” Telephone by LM Ericsson, designed in Sweden and introduced from 1953–54. Widely regarded as one of the most iconic examples of Scandinavian industrial design, the Ericofon earned its nickname — the Cobra Telephone — through its unmistakable sculptural silhouette, rising in a single sweeping form from base to receiver.
What set it apart from every telephone that came before was its radical integration of handset and dial into one unified, streamlined body. At a time when the telephone was still a heavy, two-piece instrument rooted in Victorian utility, the Ericofon was something else entirely — a piece of design thinking that belonged on a shelf as much as on a desk.
Design & History
Designed by Blomberg, Lysell & Thames and manufactured by LM Ericsson in Sweden, the Ericofon represented a genuine leap in mid-century modern industrial design. Its single-unit form, moulded in smooth red plastic, was both functionally innovative and visually striking — a rare combination that has kept it in the conversation of serious collectors for decades. This example carries the original marking LM Ericsson Made in Sweden, confirming its authentic Swedish origin.
Details & Specifications
- Maker: LM Ericsson, Sweden
- Designer: Blomberg, Lysell & Thames
- Model: Ericofon / Cobra Telephone
- Era: After 1953–54
- Material: Red plastic
- Markings: LM Ericsson Made in Sweden
- Dimensions: Height 21.4 cm (approx. 8.4 inches)
Condition
Minor age-related wear consistent with use and age. Untested and sold as found. The piece presents well and carries the honest patina of a vintage object that has lived in a home — which is precisely where it belongs.
Why It Endures
Originally designed as a functional home telephone, the Cobra is today equally appreciated as a statement design object — for an office, a shelf, a studio, or a carefully assembled vintage collection. Red remains the most visually arresting colourway, and this example has the presence to hold a room. If you collect vintage technology, Scandinavian design, or simply objects that changed the way people thought about everyday things, the Ericofon belongs in that company.
Carefully packed and shipped with tracking from Sweden. Combined shipping available where possible, with shipping overages refunded. Dispatch in 1–3 business days. For U.S. buyers, all customs tariffs and handling fees are prepaid — no additional charges on delivery.
