Georg Jensen
Old Danish Cutlery Collection, 925 Sterling Silver
- Specifications
- Description
- The Designer
- The Maker
- Brand:Georg Jensen of Denmark
- Country: Denmark
- SKU: GJ-31000-12-13-21-31-61-FSK-FJ
- Material: 925 Sterling Silver
- Care:Please click here for Georg Jensen Home Product Care Instructions
- Designer:Harald Nielsen
- Dimensions:
- Dinner Spoon: 7 5/7"
- Dinner Fork: 7"
- Short-Handled Dinner Knife: 8 6/7"
- Long-Handled Dinner Knife: 8 3/4"
- Dessert Spoon: 6 4/5"
- Luncheon Fork: 6 2/3"
- Short-Handled Luncheon Knife: 7 4/5"
- Long-Handled Luncheon Knife: 7 4/5"
- Child's Teaspoon (Large): 6"
- Teaspoon (Small): 5"
- Pastry Fork: 5 2/3"
- Butter Knife: 6"
- Fish Fork: 7"
- Fish Knife: 8"
- Fruit Knife: 6 3/5"
- Child's Fork: 6"
- Serving Spoon (Small): 8"
- Serving Fork (Small): 8"
- Large Pastry Server: 8 2/3"
Designed in 1947 by Harald Nielsen, the Old Danish cutlery pattern is a symbolic representation of Denmark's occupation during the WWII. The accentuated, clean lines of the double fluted pattern and the balanced distribution of weight symbolize the spirit and proud resistance of the Danish nation. The Old Danish pattern has a long association with Danish royalty; King Christian X who never fled his kingdom during the occupation used the cutlery at state banquets and more recently it was given as a wedding gift to Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess of Denmark in 2004.
Perhaps his most famous design, Harald Nielsen's 1947 version of the Old Danish silver pattern was a reaction to the years of Denmark's occupation during World War II. Thoroughly Danish and possessing a solid and expressive feeling of precious silver, the line has been a favourite set for three generations.
The double flutes of the pattern belie its original heritage: they come from a French style that has been common in Denmark since the 18th century. Harald Nielsen used the characteristic decoration to accentuate a shape whose strong, clear lines are utterly his own.
The Old Danish cutlery line is a testimony to Nielsen's long and intimate affair with silver. He came to the Georg Jensen Silversmithy as an apprentice as early as 1909 and went on to become Georg Jensen's trusted colleague. After Georg Jensen's death in 1935, Harald Nielsen made it his life's work to carry on the master's work. In total, Nielsen spent more than half a century at Georg Jensen.
In many ways, the story of his involvement—from an early age and low level of expertise to becoming a master craftsman—is the story of the Georg Jensen legacy.