At the turn of the 20^th century, Georg Jensen introduced the world to his unique artistic vision, giving new life to the silversmith craft.  Driven by his love for the fine arts and influenced by his training as a goldsmith and sculptor, his creations gained instant acclaim for their beauty and fine craftsmanship.  Even today, more than a century later, Georg Jensen’s creations live on as a testament to the timelessness of his vision.

Supported by his early success, Jensen started his own silversmith in Copenhagen in 1904, bringing on talented designers to contribute to his collections.   Jensen encouraged creativity and individuality among his designers, many of whom had also received their training as sculptors, allowing them to create freely and with full credit.  He also welcomed opportunities to collaborate with other artists and designers, distinguishing him from many of his peers, who often jealously guarded their artistic visions.

It’s impossible to discuss Jensen without mentioning Art Nouveau.  Georg Jensen’s own designs were unmistakably influenced by one of the most influential art movements in history and have further contributed to its broad appeal.  Boasting the movement’s graceful curves and organic motifs, his appreciation for the style is clearly apparent in all his designs ranging from his early jewelry pieces to flatware, tableware, hollowware including cigar holders, lighters, money clips etc..  However, his philosophy of giving his designers freedom of expression offers diversity to suit the tastes of anyone who appreciates fine silver.  These pieces are as distinctive as they are distinguished, and are immediately recognizable for their unparalleled quality.  Each designer was given the freedom to put their own unique mark on each of the pieces they designed, allowing them to enjoy full credit for their creations.

Jensen’s designers included some of the most renowned silver designers in history:

• Gundorph Albertus, a major contributor to the art deco movement, created one of the best known and sought after designs in the Cactus series. 

• Johan Rohde, whose work was often indistinguishable from Jensen’s, created the highly acclaimed Acorn series, the first flatware set to be manufactured by Jensen.

• Harald Nielsen, a unique designer whose creations are immediately recognizable

• Sigvard Bernadotte, Countess and brother to the Princess of Denmark, his design concepts clearly illustrated the freedom that Jensen afforded his designers

• Allan Scharf, whose world renowned fish bowl platter is featured in museums
  

One of the defining characteristics of Georg Jensen silver is the hand-craftsmanship of each piece.  Hand-hammered silver has a luster and texture that simply can’t be reproduced through machine manufacturing.  From the rich, lavish feel of the metal to its deep, glowing sheen, Georg Jensen’s creations are as delightful to touch as they are to behold.  Every piece Georg Jensen design is sterling silver, with the exception of the ladles which have stainless steel bowels and some stainless steel knife blades. No Jenson pieces have ever been silver plated.

JAK Silver is proud to carry pieces designed by Georg Jensen and his talented designers.   Many of the pieces bear vintage date marks, with some dating back to the very beginning of the Georg Jensen legacy.  JAK Silver offers a distinguished selection, from jewelry to tableware to keepsakes, all finely crafted by some of the world’s most talented silver designers.

Georg Jensen could be considered the Father of Modern Silver for his enormous influence on the art of silver craftsmanship.  His skilled touch helped silver emerge beyond its humble origins as a cheaper alternative to gold into a precious and treasured metal in its own right.  His legacy and his influence live on today, and for the years to come.

Whether you’ve long appreciated the beauty of Georg Jensen silver, or are only recently discovering its merits, we feel confident that you’ll quickly learn to recognize the distinctive qualities that make Georg Jensen one of the most celebrated silver craftsmen in the world.