Jensen Flatware for the Collector

As every reader of this website knows well, spoons and flatware in general are an ideal collectors item. This is as true of Jensen as anything else. With a few exceptions basic pieces of Jensen flatware can be obtained for under a hundred pounds a piece, and so it is affordable and relatively easy to obtain a piece of work by a very respected designer. Indeed, I have tried to show that Jensen flatware is representative of the general trends of 20th century design. There are excellent examples of the Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Post War functionalism and mid century modernism. Many of the designs are iconic and considered design classics. Some of the greatest designers of the 20th century worked for Georg Jensen at one time or another, and so a collection of Jensen flatware would represent such greats as Jensen himself, Johan Rohde, Harald Nilsen and Henning Köppel.

Above all else though, in my opinion, Jensen flatware has one overriding and impressive characteristic: it works.
Those of us in love with British flatware are spoilt. We are used to the fact that almost every design from early times to the present is made with use in mind- well balanced, fits nicely in the hand and is designed with use in mind.
The same is not always true of Continental flatware where too often function is the slave of form, or quality is the slave of cost. Jensen flatware however, feels good in the hand, is beautifully made and designed for use as much as for aesthetics.
It Is little wonder then, that the flatware of Georg Jensen is so widely respected, collected and above all else, used.

Article by James Baldwin

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Additional Articles in Georg Jensen Category

• Georg Jensen: The name, the man.
  A brief account of both Georg Jensen silversmith, himself, and the Georg Jensen company. First we examine Georg Jensen's own personal history and development, and then we trace that of the company he so successfully established. From the original Georg Jensen Silversmithy- his workshop and retail premises to the later company both with and without his leadership and involvement, to the modern multinational brand. read more...
  
  
• Jensen's flatware patterns. An overview
  In this article we review the most important of the Georg Jensen Sterling silver flatware patterns. We review the Sterling silverware designed by Georg Jensen himself, and indeed silver flatware patterns by his other designers. Georg Jensen Silver flatware is, in fact, a perfect way to review the important developments of European art and design in the 20th century. If you ever wanted to know more about Georg Jensen sterling silver flatware patterns then this article is for you! read more...
  
  
• Building a Georg Jensen Service
  When one undertakes a project such as obtaining or collecting a service of silver cutlery it is important to conduct at least a bit of research. For those of us who love Georg Jensen silver the task is no less difficult. This is due to the range and variety of Georg Jensen silver flatware patterns produced. This article is designed to guide you through the minefield, alert you to the main issues of collecting or buying a service of Georg Jensen silver cutlery, and ask the sorts of questions you need to answer in order to make an informed purchase. read more...
  
  
• Jensen Flatware for the Collector
  Most buyers of Georg Jensen sterling silver cutlery are building or adding to a silver canteen. However, as pieces of 20th century design, Georg Jensen sterling flatware pieces are also of great interest to collectors. While some collectors may be exclusively interested in the sterling silverware of Georg Jensen many will wish to add silver flatware pieces in different Georg Jensen designs to their more general collection of sterling silver flatware. read more...