Hans Christensen Modern Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver Prototype 'Kodak' Bowl, Rochester, NY, 1962

This small, famous bowl is an exquisite example of modern silver created in the arts & crafts tradition by the important silversmith Hans Christensen.

All the parts are hand raised and the interior and exterior of the bowl have beautifully hammered surfaces. The top rim of the bowl is irregularly shaped with a dimpled top.

The circular, one-inch high base is tooled - giving it a dramatic tree bark texture which is quite striking against the planished bowl.

The same decorative technique was used to create the outer area of the handles, or eyes.

This rare bowl was a prototype of the bowls made for retiring employees of the Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, NY. Hans Christensen 'incorporated a representation of a camera lens, or eye, in its design'.(1) This design is whimsical, striking and of great quality - true characteristics of an accomplished silversmith.

Hans Christensen (1924-1983), at the age of 15, started his apprenticeship working for the famous firm of Georg Jensen in Copenhagen earning $7.00 a week. Five years later he won prestigious awards for 'design and execution'. 'From 1952 to 1954 Hans Christensen was the lead silversmith of the prototype shop and was among the youngest department heads at the Jensen Works'.(2)

In 1954, Hans Christensen came to America for a teaching position at the School for American Craftsmen in Rochester, New York where he taught silversmithing and design for 29 years.(3) During this time he also created stunning silver sculptures and objects d' art winning many awards. For this information and much more, see the footnotes.

He is widely considered one of the leading studio silversmiths and educators working in America during the period and the Society of American Silversmiths named their lifetime achievement award after him.

Provenance:
The estate of the artist's wife
Private collection

This stunning bowl is marked underneath 'STERLING/ H.C/ HANDMADE' below a silversmiths hammer. It measures 7.25 inches across the handles by 3.75 inches high, weighs 12.90 troy ounces, has never been engraved and is in excellent condition.

Endnotes

1. "The Life, Times and Work of Hans Jorgen Thorvald Christensen" by Thomas M. Sandretto, (http://gold-silver-casting.com/HansChristensen-Life-Times-Work.htm), last accessed 8/4/2015.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.