Like many Scandinavian designers active in the 1950s and 1960s, there is a scarcity of verifiable biographical information available on the Swedish designer Nils Jonsson. Designing in the same period as mid-century modern heavyweights like Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton, many Danish and Swedish cabinetmakers did not garner the same attention as their contemporaries who concentrated on seating and lighting. Creating mostly secretaires , tables , and sideboards , Nils Jonsson’s contribution to Scandinavian modern design has not been forgotten, due to the fastidious labeling of his products which allow for easy identification and the healthy appetite of vintage lovers for Jonsson's sleek, high-quality designs.
During the 1950s, Jonsson’s designs were produced by Tørring Møbelfabrik in Denmark. In the 1960s, Jonsson’s most productive period, his designs were produced by the Swedish company Troeds Bjärnum. Established in 1934 by Svea and Hugo Troedsson, Troeds produced pieces in typical Scandinavian modern style. Jonsson worked alongside the well-respected designer Yngve Ekström, whose work was also produced by Troeds.
