JOHAN ROHDE (1856-1935) for GEORG ARTHUR JENSEN... Lot 38

JOHAN ROHDE (1856-1935) for GEORG ARTHUR JENSEN (Denmark, 1866 - 1935). "Bonbonnière no. 249. Sterling silver. With contrasts on the base. Measures: 14 x 11 x 11 cm. "Elegant and refined, Johan Rohde's exquisite collection of silverware for Georg Jensen combines elements of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, while adding a distinctive touch of classic Scandinavian style". This is how Jensen's own silverware defines the collaboration with designer Johan Rohde, who played an important role in the development of Danish craftsmanship with his high-quality silver designs. Rohde worked for Jensen for many years, securing an exclusive contract with him in 1914. Among his most significant designs for Georg Jensen are the cutlery patterns Acorn (Konge, 1915) and Schroll (Sagam 1927) and the Cosmos yea and coffee. service (1915). A Danish silversmith active in the late 19th and early decades of the 20th century, Jensen was the son of a knife sharpener from Raadvad, north of Copenhagen. He began his training as a silversmith at the age of fourteen in the Danish capital, as a pupil of Guldsmed Andersen, and became independent in 1884 to follow his own creative path. Interested in sculpture since he was a child, he entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where he graduated in 1892. From this date onwards he began to exhibit his works. Although his clay sculpture was well received, Jensen turned his attention to the applied arts in order to earn a living. He began to work as a modeller at the porcelain manufactory Bing & Grøndahl, and from 1898 he combined this activity with his work in the small ceramics workshop he founded together with Christian Petersen. However, although his pieces were once again well received, his sales were not enough to support Jensen and his family, so in 1901 he abandoned ceramics and began to work as a silversmith and designer with Mogens Ballin. Three years later he became independent and opened his own silversmith's workshop in Copenhagen. Jensen's training as a silversmith and his education in fine art enabled him to combine the two disciplines to revive the tradition of the artisan artist. Soon, the beauty and quality of his Art Nouveau creations fascinated the public, ensuring his success. By the end of the 1920s, his Copenhagen workshop had grown considerably, and he had also opened shops in New York, London, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin and other cities. In fact, during this decade Jensen sold his Spanish-made designs in the old jewellery shop at 90 Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona. Today, the firm that bears his name is still active and has become the paradigm of Scandinavian luxury design.