Georg Jensen dominates Jasper52 May 30 silver auction

Large and early Georg Jensen silver fish platter and mazarine, estimated at $23,000-$28,000

NEW YORK – Few names loom as large in the realm of silver as Danish designer and entrepreneur Georg Jensen. He was innovative in both silversmithing and marketing, and possessed reserves of generosity–a rare resource among high achievers–that freed him to invite other artists and artisans to create pieces and lines for him under their own names. Those strategies helped his company survive to the present when virtually every other silver firm went defunct. On May 30, beginning at 5 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will present an auction of Silver Cutlery, Hollowware & Gifts, characterized by extremely strong pieces by Jensen. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The standout among standouts is a jaw-dropping 212-piece silverware service in the Georg Jensen Fuschia pattern. Some of the pieces bear the monogram VWJ, indicating that they first belonged to Vidar Wulff Jensen, one of Jensen’s sons. The Fuschia pattern is decorated with flowers and berries and carries design number 2, supporting the notion that it was the second silverware pattern Jensen created. Among the scarce pieces in the extensive service are a dozen lobster picks; a cream ladle; a sauce ladle; two cake knives; a tomato server; a herring or sardine server; a meat-serving fork; a two-piece small salad set; a bread roll knife; a jam spoon; two cake servers, in two different sizes; a large pie server; numerous serving spoons; two cheese knives; three butter spreaders; 10 iced tea or latte spoons; and half a dozen cocktail picks. The silverware service, which was consigned by a private Danish collector, carries an estimate of $22,000-$26,000, with a reserve of $18,200.

Part of a 212-piece silverware service in the Georg Jensen Fuschia pattern, estimated at $22,000-$26,000

Another prize in the Silver Cutlery, Hollowware & Gifts auction is an extra large Georg Jensen lidded tureen that features grape and floral details. The design dates to 1921, and the Jensen hallmark on the tureen appears on pieces made between 1925 and 1932. It is estimated at $20,000-$24,000 and has a reserve of $16,250.

Extra-large Georg Jensen lidded tureen, estimated at $20,000-$24,000

Rounding out the leading lots is a large and early Georg Jensen silver fish platter and mazarine (a term that describes a deep dish). The design dates to 1918, and so does this example, which means it might be the first that Jensen produced. The lot notes state “It would have taken an experienced silversmith months to hand fabricate this piece.” It is estimated at $23,000-$28,000 and has a reserve of $19,500.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/