Jewelers

Georg Jensen. Scandinavian modern.

Georg Jensen 1866 1935 Danish goldsmith.
Georg Jensen 1866 1935 Danish goldsmith.

Georg Arthur Jensen (1866-1935) was a Danish jeweler, artist and sculptor whose work had a significant impact on the development of jewelry design in the Scandinavian countries.

Jensen began his career at the age of 14, becoming an apprentice in a jewelry workshop. He later received his artistic education, studying sculpture at the Royal Danish Academy of Art (1895-1901). Jensen worked in the workshop of the court jeweler Michelsen, as well as in the studio of Mogens Ballin, where he carried out orders for products made of tin and silver. In 1904, he opened his own workshop in Copenhagen and began to produce Art Nouveau silver jewelry. Jensen’s work was a great success, and soon his workshop was transformed into the firm “Georg Jensen”. In 1914, the firm opened a branch in Berlin, in 1921 – in London, in 1924 – in New York, on Fifth Avenue.

Silver watch charm with engraved amber signet Georg Jensen.
Silver watch charm with engraved amber signet Georg Jensen.

The works of the company Gerog Jensen were exhibited in 1900 at the World Exhibition in Paris, and at the Brussels Exhibition of 1910 he received a gold medal.

Georg Jensen’s style of silver jewelry is known as “skønvirke” (skönvirke) or “aesthetic work”. In 1914, the Skønvirke magazine began to be printed in Denmark, which promoted the traditions of local artisans and the ideas of national romanticism. The very word Skønvirke has become synonymous with Scandinavian Art Nouveau, which is characterized by soft organic forms, often plant-inspired, sometimes highly stylized. Hand-chased silver is often adorned with cabochon stones that add color and contrast to the pieces.

Silver brooch early 20th century.
Silver brooch early 20th century.

After the death of Georg A. Jensen in 1935, his son Jørgen Jensen (1885-1966) took over the firm. He retained the artistic style of the firm, which was laid down by his father, and attracted many famous designers to work, including Sigvard Bernadotte, Henning Koppel, Eric Magnussen. The brand “Georg Jensen” exists today, delighting fans of Scandinavian design with its products.

Silver belt buckle with bird pecking grape ornament Georg Jensen circa 1910.
Silver belt buckle with bird pecking grape ornament, circa 1910.
Silver box with amber cabochon length 10.5 cm circa 1920.
Box with amber cabochon length 10.5 cm, circa 1920.
Silver caddy with amber cabochon height 16.5 cm Georg Jensen 1915 1919.
Silver caddy with amber cabochon height 16.5 cm. 1915-1919.
Silver cigarette case early 20th century.
Silver cigarette case early 20th century.
Silver bottle height 13.4 cm Georg Jensen 1915 1927.
Bottle height 13.4 cm, 1915-1927.
Silver box adorned with semi precious stones length 21.5 cm 1915 1919.
Silver box adorned with semi precious stones length 21.5 cm, 1915-1919.
Silver pendant with green agate on a silver chain Georg Jensen early 20th century.
Silver pendant with green agate on a silver chain, early 20th century.
Silver pendant with malachite on a silver chain designed by Georg Jensen in 1913.
Pendant with malachite on a silver chain designed by Georg Jensen in 1913.
Silver belt buckle with amethyst Georg Jensen circa 1909 1914.
Silver belt buckle with amethyst, circa 1909-1914.
Silver pendant with amethyst on a silver chain designed by Georg Jensen.
Silver pendant with amethyst on a silver chain.
Silver pendant with amethyst on a silver chain designed by Georg Jensen in 1912.
Pendant with amethyst on a silver chain designed by Georg Jensen in 1912.
Silver moonstone brooch designed by Georg Jensen in 1914.
Silver moonstone brooch designed by Georg Jensen in 1914.
Silver pendant with moonstone Georg Jensen 1910 1920
Silver pendant with moonstone, 1910-1920
Silver comb with moonstone 1910 1914.
Comb with moonstone 1910-1914.
Silver brooch with a rare early design by Georg Jensen from 1904.
Silver brooch with a rare early design by Georg Jensen from 1904.
Silver brooch Pegasus early 20th century.
Silver brooch Pegasus early 20th century.
Silver brooch Georg Jensen early 20th century.
Brooch early 20th century.
Silver necklace with moonstone and labradorite design 1912 from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum London.
Silver necklace with moonstone and labradorite design 1912 from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum London.
Silver brooch designed by Georg Jensen in 1904.
Silver brooch designed by Georg Jensen in 1904.
Silver brooch with amber. This model originally designed by Georg Jensen was produced for a hundred years from 1904 to 1994.
Brooch with amber. This model originally designed by Georg Jensen was produced for a hundred years from 1904 to 1994.
Silver brooch with green agate and amber early 20th century.
Silver brooch with green agate and amber early 20th century.
Silver brooch with amber 1910 1914 from the collection of the British Museum London.
Brooch with amber 1910 1914 from the collection of the British Museum London.