Single-Owner Collection of Jensen Silver Fetches $8.87 Million

NEW YORK CITY

:Christie's sale of Georg Jensen silver on January 19 was "an overwhelming success and a fabulous crowning of the firm's 100th anniversary," according to Jeanne Sloane, head of Christie's silver department.

The sale totaled $8,873,640, with 440 of the 444 lots sold. The top selling lot was a monumental pair of silver five-light candelabra designed by Harald Nielsen, circa 1940, which sold for $204,000.

"This extensive single-owner collection, the first-ever auction of its kind, generated tremendous interest with an outpouring of bidding activity throughout the sale," said Sloane. "Collectors worldwide recognized that this sale was an extremely rare event and took full advantage of this opportunity to acquire key pieces from the legendary Jensen firm. The sale nearly tripled its presale estimate and reached new price levels for several classic Jensen forms."

The collection, previously housed in a country estate in Northamptonshire, England, was the largest and most comprehensive collection of Jensen silver known, and the auction offered a selection of groundbreaking designs by the Copenhagen from 1904 to the present.

Jensen (1866-1935), known for his superior craftsmanship, was trained as a sculptor and silversmith and was deeply influenced by the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts traditions. Inspired by nature, he incorporated many floral motifs into his work. His early and beloved blossom and grape patterns have become icons of Twentieth Century design and best represent his excellence in sculptural decoration.

Nielsen (1892-1977) was Jensen's brother-in-law. He joined the firm as an apprentice in 1909 and remained until the 1960s. His design philosophy relied on clarity and simplicity as seen by the striking pair of rare and dazzling standing five-light candelabra. Each stands on a circular stepped base, rising to a fluted and tubular stem, with scroll branches and urn-form sockets, and each is topped with a foliate and bud-form central standard.

Another sale highlight was a silver flatware service designed by Jensen, Twentieth Century. Exceeding its $20/30,000 presale estimate to reach $180,000, the service featured the Blossom pattern and came in a fitted wood chest.

Also bringing $180,000 was a silver chandelier designed by Jensen, 1919, which featured the shade formed as a lotus flower and the standard formed as flowering pods, with four pods terminating in electrical sockets. And a pair of silver five-light candelabra designed by Johan Rohde, 1945-1951, also made $180,000. Rohde (1866-1935) was one of the major creators who was key to the firm's continued success.

Rounding out the sale's top ten were: a rare silver seven-light chandelier, 1920, $168,000; an important silver centerpiece designed by Henning Koppel, 2000, $168,000; a pair of silver four-light candelabra designed by Jensen, 1925-1932, $144,000; a fine silver fish platter, mazarine and cover designed by Rohde, 1945-1977, $144,000; a pair of silver table lamps, circa 1920, $132,000; and a pair of silver five-light candelabra designed by Rohde, 1919-1927, $132,000.

All sold prices include buyer's premium.