Centerpiece Bowl, Model No. 1068, circa 1948-1977

By far Georg Jensen’s most significant mid-century designer was Henning Koppel (1918-1981), whose work in the Scandinavian Modern style is as relevant to today’s contemporary interiors as when it was introduced in the 1950s. Danish-born Henning Koppel trained as a sculptor and, surprisingly, did not study as a silversmith. As a refugee in Sweden during the Second World War, Koppel supported himself, in part, by making jewelry and painting. Following the war, Koppel was hired by the Jensen firm to produce new jewelry designs, which were completely abstract in form and full of movement.
Koppel’s hollowware designs for Jensen were strikingly original and reflected the influence of contemporary sculpture. He was a master of abstraction, emphasizing sculptural qualities rather than surface ornament. Koppel continued on to design not only silver flatware, hollowware and lighting, but also porcelain and glass until his death in 1981.
Further examples of this model have sold at Sotheby's, New York, 15 December 2012, lot 106, and Christie's, New York, 18 December 2007, lot 177.