Scandimania

From the 12th to the 15th of May at the Dulwich Picture Gallery you can go and join in a cultural celebration of all things Scandinavian. This spring the Scandimania events include a wide variety of scandi themed activities, from live music and outdoor cinema to crochet, weaving and paint workshops.

A well celebrated Scandinavian feature is the popular designs in both interiors and jewellery. Distinctive Scandinavian jewellery has been produced at least since the time of the Vikings, with heavily embellished bracelets, rings, and pendants featuring complex knotted designs displaying symbolic animals and signs. However, the region's unique industry did not come into its own until the turn of the 20th century, when Scandinavian artisans looked to indigenous craft-oriented arts to inform their designs.

Because of the material shortages during the two world wars, Scandinavian designers were pushed  to experiment with other materials such as ceramics, glass, iron and bronze, reserving silver and gold for inlays or settings.

Norway distinguished itself in the enameled metal arts, and firms like Marius Hammer and David-Andersen adapted the basse-taille and plique-à-jour techniques for jewellery production. In Denmark, the Arts and Crafts movement, also known as skønvirke or “beautiful work”, relied heavily on a sculptural quality achieved through repoussage or chasing. Skønvirke pieces were typically made in silver and sometimes set with cabochons of precious stones.

Both of these movements took inspiration from the reigning Art Nouveau trends of bright colours and densely layered floral shapes. Examples of famous designers are Georg Jensen, Gabrielson Pederson, Sigvard Bernadotte, Nanna, Jørgen Ditzel and Kalevala Koru.

Here at Grays we are joining in the Scandimania by selecting some of our most beautiful Scandinavian designs.

A pair of silver caviar spoons. 1887 by Jacob Tostrup (Norwegian). Offered by Past and Present

Georg Jensen classic vintage hand hammered silver bowl with Danish and English hallmarks, London 1924.
Offered by Past and Present

Swedish silver & enamel casket, a magnificent piece for any collection. Superb workmanship.
Import marks for Cohen & Charles, London 1914. Offered by Decart7

Top quality silver and enamel dish. Made in Norway by Marius Hammer. 1920s. Offered by  Evonne Antiques

A sculptural brooch of a heron set with a moonstone. Denmark. Circa 1910. Jacob Thage. Offered by Van Den Bosch

A Skonvirke silver brooch set with three red amber drops. Denmark. Circa 1910. Danish Jewellery. Jacob Thage.
Offered by Van Den Bosch