Item number: 58087
Sterling silver child cutlery in “Acorn” pattern,
Copenhagen 1945-77 by Georg Jensen
Georg Jensen sterling silver child cutlery in Acorn pattern, also known in Denmark as “Konge”, designed by Johan Rohde, 1915. Executed by Georg Jensen silversmithy between 1945 and 77. A fine sterling silver child cutlery in exceptional presentation condition. The cutlery shows no personal inscription or monogram. This cutlery has been produced for a short time only, the knife with sterling silver blade. In original cardboard box.
Fork: 9.3 cm / 3.6″ length, Knife: 11.1 cm / 4.3″; 43.8 g / 1.40 oz
Johan Rohde and Georg Jensen
The Danish painter, graphic artist, architect and interior designer Johan Rohde [1856 – 1935] was a co-founder of the secessionist group “Den Frie Udstilling” (“The Free Exhibition”) in 1891. Through this group he met Georg Jensen, who exhibited a sculpture rejected by the Danish Academy at “Den Frie Udstilling” in 1897. Georg Jensen intended to pursue a career as a sculptor at a young age before he had unexpected success with his silverware. Born in 1866 as the son of a knife grinder in Raadvad, north of Copenhagen, Georg Jensen began training as a silversmith at the age of 14 and became a journeyman in 1884. From 1887 to 1892 he studied sculpture at the “Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi” (“Royal Danish Academy of Art”), followed by studies in pottery. However, economic difficulties forced Georg Jensen to abandon his artistic ambitions in sculpture and pottery and to rededicate himself to silver. Therefore, he worked in Mogens Ballin’s silversmithy from 1901. Nevertheless, the knowledge he acquired at the academy was later of great benefit when he combined it with his specialist knowledge of silversmithing and thus revived the lost tradition of the classical craftsman. His designs for jewellery and silverware, strongly influenced by Scandinavian Art Nouveau, soon found public favour, encouraging Georg Jensen to leave his position with Mogens Ballin and establish his own workshop in Copenhagen in 1906. Georg Jensen and Johan Rohde became friends during their time at Mogens Ballin’s silversmithy, for which Johan Rohde provided designs. Rohde’s first designs for silverware, which he created for his own house in 1905, were executed by Georg Jensen. From 1908, Johan Rohde began a casual collaboration with Georg Jensen. It was not until 1917 that Rohde became a permanent designer of silverware for Georg Jensen, where he remained until his decease.
Among Johan Rohde’s most successful designs for Georg Jensen are the silver cutlery “Acorn” (also known as “Konge”), as well as the cutlery “Scroll” or “Saga” and “Acanthus” (or “Dronning”). Among the larger silverware, the silver carafe #432, which has become a design icon, and the silver services of the “Cosmos” pattern have become particularly famous.
