Rare Eigil Jensen for Anton Michelsen Denmark Sterling Modernist Necklace & Brooch Suite c. 1950s

Measurements: Necklace: 15.4"L x 1.25"W (39.12cm x 3.18cm)

Brooch: 3"L x 1.4"W x .25"Thick (7.62cm x 3.56cm x .64cm)

Markings: AM Maker's Mark Sterling Denmark  EJ

Weight: Necklace 92.6g  Brooch: 24.7g  Total Weight: 117.4g

An exceptional and highly collectible sterling silver necklace and brooch suite designed by Eigil Jensen for Anton Michelsen, Copenhagen, dating to approximately the 1950s. Monumental in presence yet remarkably refined in execution, the set exemplifies the sculptural sophistication and technical precision that distinguish the finest mid-century Danish silver.

The necklace is composed of a continuous sequence of articulated, elongated leaf- or feather-like elements, each individually formed and engraved with a rhythmic linear pattern that creates extraordinary visual movement across the surface. The repeated motif follows the contour of the neckline with architectural precision, producing a dramatic collar-like silhouette that feels at once organic, modernist, and ceremonial.

The matching brooch enlarges the same motif into a single bold sculptural form, allowing the visual language of the necklace to be experienced on a monumental scale. Its softly tapered outline and finely engraved surface give the piece a remarkable sense of depth and movement despite the restrained monochrome palette.

Together, the necklace and brooch have a combined weight of 117.4 grams, giving the set substantial physical presence and reinforcing its character as true wearable sculpture rather than conventional adornment.

The suite remains in exceptional vintage condition with no noted damage and little to no visible wear. It has not been professionally polished or altered, preserving the original surface character and integrity of the silver. Only a light cleaning has been performed.

For additional versatility, a converter is included so the brooch may also be worn as a pendant.

Marked Anton Michelsen, Sterling Denmark, EJ, the set represents the work of designer Eigil Jensen, whose designs were produced during one of the most important periods in the history of the Anton Michelsen silversmithy.

Anton Michelsen and Danish Modernism

Founded in Copenhagen in 1841, the Anton Michelsen firm became one of Denmark’s most distinguished silversmithing houses and later held the prestigious appointment of Royal Court Jeweler. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the workshop played an important role in the development of Danish decorative arts, producing jewelry, hollowware, ceremonial objects, and official medals for the Danish court.

The firm's influence on Scandinavian design history is considerable. Georg Jensen himself apprenticed with Anton Michelsen in the 1890s, and by the mid-20th century the workshop was collaborating with some of Denmark’s most important modernist designers. From approximately 1950 onward, Anton Michelsen increasingly acknowledged individual designers by incorporating their signatures or initials into the maker’s marks.

Designers associated with the firm during the mid- and late-20th century included Eigil Jensen, Gertrud Engel, Karen Strand, Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, Knud V. Andersen, and Jens Windfeld Hansen.

In 1968, Anton Michelsen was acquired by Royal Copenhagen, and the company was later gradually integrated with Georg Jensen after Royal Copenhagen’s subsequent acquisition of that firm. Today, surviving Michelsen jewelry from the mid-century period is prized for its distinctive combination of traditional Danish silversmithing, modernist experimentation, and exceptionally high standards of craftsmanship.

This necklace and brooch suite is a particularly compelling example of that legacy. The sweeping repetition of engraved forms, substantial sterling construction, and unified sculptural vocabulary give the set an extraordinary sense of completeness and artistic intention.

A truly museum-worthy ensemble for the serious collector of Anton Michelsen, Eigil Jensen, Danish Modern, Scandinavian silver, and important 20th-century wearable art.