A Scandinavian story:

Georg Jensen

Georg Jensen was born in 1866 in Raadvad, north of Copenhagen. Jensen’s first role in the industry was a goldsmith’s apprentice at the age of 14. By 1904 he had opened his first workshop in Copenhagen where he created works silver, primarily jewellery. Regularly exhibiting his works in major exhibitions, in 1910 he won a gold medal at the Brussels Exhibition.  His success was swift and received adoration for his pieces and was able to move to a larger workshop in 1912 and later his first factory building in just 1919, only 15 years after he opened his first workshop.

Jensen emphasis of sleek lines and modern takes on traditional pieces gained him notoriety across Europe and America, opening branches from London to New York City. By 1935 Jensen had branches all over the world and carried over 3,000 patterns in open stock, not wanting to archive old patterns out of respect for his loyal patrons.

After his death in 1935 his son, Soren Georg Jensen continued the business. In 1973 ‘Georg Jensen’ became part of the Royal Scandinavia Group. 

Georg Jensen was a key defining character of 20^th century design, the simple elegance of his works celebrated the world over and have an ageless quality to them.

Flemming Eskildsen was educated as a silversmith at the Georg Jensen Silversmithy and in the 1960s became the lead designer for ‘Georg Jensen’. Lot 12 a link bracelet in .925 sterling silver first designed in the ‘60’s, is a wonderful nod to the rich heritage of the Jensen brand name.

Lot 12 A SILVER BRACELET, by Georg Jensen, signed and stamped

Jacob Hull

Although, little is known about the Danish designer, Jacob Hull’s pieces are highly collectible. With most of his work coming out of the 1970’s, pieces found at auction are still highly sought after.

His work may not be as universal as other designers from the period but true lovers of brutalism will admire his industrial designs. Hull often worked with glass, in some of his pieces the glass appears to be nearly consumed by the silver.

Designed one-off jewellery in his studio and also limited run silver and gold-plated pieces by Buch & Diechmann. The B+D pieces were sold in a Danish department shop, Illums Boligus.

Jacon Hull is remembered for creating sculptural works of art that can be worn as jewellery, he was a true visual artist.

Lot 5, A Chrysoprase ring, by Jacob Hull  ca. 1970, stamped ‘J.HULL’, size M.

C. G. Hallberg, Stockholm

Hallmarked in Sweden in the early to mid-20^th century, this is a wonderfully simple bowl, characteristic of Scandi design.

There is a simple elegance to this bowl that is a nod to the earlier Swedish Grace style. The streamlined lines and the pared down nature of its design remains current today. A beautiful depiction of line and form. Hallmarked with the maker’s marks ‘C.G.H’ C. G. Hallberg they were a prominent Swedish goldsmiths and jewellers, as well as the jeweller to the Swedish Court.

Stylistic borders surround the base and top, a nod to the more traditional egg & dart borders.

The design remains current that it would not look out of place in a modern home today. With a glass insert, it could be used for lemons or potpourri.

Lot 261 A SWEDISH SILVER BOWL, CG. Hellberg, Stockholm, 1946, 299 g.