Danish Hans Hansen Sterling Silver Modernist Cocktail Ring 1940's

Measurements: Size: 6.25-US / 52.5-EU / L-M-UK   

Markings: Hans Hansen in script 925S Denmark

Weight: 9.7g

Superb and large sterling silver cocktail ring. The ring features a modernist style wrap design that was created by Hansen and still a popular style used by the Georg Jensen company. It looks like it was originally an open style shank but has been soldered close by a jeweler. It has recently been professionally polished and looks almost new! 

Hans Hansen (1884-1940) Started his own silversmithy in the 1920s in the Jutland town of Kolding with the mechanized production of silver flatware. The company's range of products and reputation for superb modernist design was however established by his son, Karl Gustav Hansen, who was apprenticed in his father's workshop in 1932, and consolidated by Bent Gabrielsen, artistic director from 1953 to 1969. Karl Gustav Hansen was born in 1914 and followed in his father's footsteps to become a silversmith. Even before he produced his apprenticeship test piece in 1934 he had created a series of designs in a simpler, functionalist style which he called 'Future'. He went on to study at the School of Sculpture in the Academy of Art and undertake a 3 months study trip to Italy. In 1940 Hans Hansen died, and the now 25 year old Karl Gustav took over the family firm, designing jewellery and increasingly flatware and hollowware. He designed practically no jewellery during the period 1953 -69 when Bent Gabrielsen was employed by the company, but resumed thereafter, and remained active until his death in 2002.
A number of other well-known Danish modernist silversmiths started their careers at the Hans Hansen company and their designs were clearly influenced by the studio. These include Bent Knudsen, Eigil Jensen (who went on to work for Anton Michelsen) and Allan Scharff (born 1945), who progressed to Georg Jensen. One of Scharff's most famous designs, sold as 'Alliance' by Georg Jensen, was actually designed during his time with Hans Hansen. The company was taken over by the Royal Scandinavia Group in 1991 and thus incorporated into Georg Jensen. Several Hans Hansen designs are still being produced by Georg Jensen.