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E660
Hans Jorgen Thorvald Christensen was one of the great and accomplished silversmiths. This stunning compote, large enough to be a fruit or centerpiece bowl, is beautifully designed with great whimsy and imagination. The surface sparkes with brilliant hammering reflecting it's surroundings.
The large bowl has an irregular edge treated to give it an irregular, yet finished, look - one that Christensen's used in other designs during the 1960's and 70's.
The tapering shaped base is a brilliant design with 3 cutouts. The horizontal rings are also executed in various angles as if it were collapsing from the weight of the bowl. All this gives the compote great visual movement.
Hans Christensen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1924 and at age 15 apprenticed at the famous firm of Jensen during the day and attended academic classes at night. At the age of 20 he was awarded two prizes, one for design and one for execution of a teapot and warmer. He was awarded his silversmiths certificate in 1944. Christensen became lead silversmith of the prototype shop at Jensen in 1952. This department 'transformed into actual three dimensional objects by the highest skill level silversmiths at the Jensen Works'.
In 1954, Christensen accepted a teaching position at the School of American Craftsmen in Rochester, New York. During his teaching profession instructing students in the art of design and silversmithing, Christensen continued to create his style of silver. His first private commission in 1956 was to create a trophy for the North American Figure Skating Association. It was so well received he continued to make smaller copies for the Association for the next 25 years.
Other notable achievements are the Eastman Kodak Company bowl, two objects in the Vatican Museum of Contemporary Art, the first acquisition representing contemporary design at the Garvan Collection at Yale University etc. 'His work is in the permanent collections of individuals, institutions, presidents, and royal families of England, Denmark, Norway, Iran, and Sweden'.(1)
This rare work of art is marked underneath "HC' below a silversmith's hammer along with 'STERLING/ HANDMADE'. It measures 7.75 inches wide by 6.5 inches high, weighs 22.55 troy ounces and is in excellent condition.
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