Not currently on display at the V&A

Tanaquil (Tuja)

Pair of Serving Spoons
ca.1955 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

MAGNUS STEPHENSEN (1903 - 1984)

Magnus Stephensen (1903-1984) graduated from the Kunstakademiets Arkitektskole (Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture) in 1931 and set up his own design studio. In his early career he designed apartment buildings, schools and waterworks. Later he designed smaller objects to be used in the home. He designed silver serving pieces for the Kay Bojesen Silversmithy (1932 - 52), Ceramic pots and dishes for Royal Copenhagen (1950s) and silver ("Fregat/Argo" pattern) and stainless flatware ("Tuja" pattern) and hollowware pieces for Georg Jensen (1950 on). (Kay Bojesen was one of Georg Jensen's first apprentice's and became an important Danish silversmith and designer who believed in functionalist design. Stephensen's work reflected Bojesen's influence.)

Stephensen's hollowware designs for Jensen are characterised by subtle lines and unornamental forms. Many of the pieces draw on traditional Japanese design. In fact, Stephensen wrote a book called "Brugsting Fra Japan" ("Useful Things from Japan").

Stephensen's work was included in many important exhibitions around the world and he received many prizes. He was awarded the Eckersberg medal (1948) and several medals at the Milan Triennale.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Spoon Serving
  • Spoon Serving
TitleTanaquil (Tuja) (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Stainless steel, forged
Brief description
Pair of salad servers, `Tanaquil', stainless steel, Denmark, Copenhagen, made by Georg Jensen Silversmiths Ltd., designed by Magnus Stephensen, 1956.
Physical description
Stainless steel salad servers.
Dimensions
  • Height: 31.75cm (Note: Taken from register and converted from inches. )
Style
Production typeMass produced
Summary
MAGNUS STEPHENSEN (1903 - 1984)

Magnus Stephensen (1903-1984) graduated from the Kunstakademiets Arkitektskole (Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture) in 1931 and set up his own design studio. In his early career he designed apartment buildings, schools and waterworks. Later he designed smaller objects to be used in the home. He designed silver serving pieces for the Kay Bojesen Silversmithy (1932 - 52), Ceramic pots and dishes for Royal Copenhagen (1950s) and silver ("Fregat/Argo" pattern) and stainless flatware ("Tuja" pattern) and hollowware pieces for Georg Jensen (1950 on). (Kay Bojesen was one of Georg Jensen's first apprentice's and became an important Danish silversmith and designer who believed in functionalist design. Stephensen's work reflected Bojesen's influence.)

Stephensen's hollowware designs for Jensen are characterised by subtle lines and unornamental forms. Many of the pieces draw on traditional Japanese design. In fact, Stephensen wrote a book called "Brugsting Fra Japan" ("Useful Things from Japan").

Stephensen's work was included in many important exhibitions around the world and he received many prizes. He was awarded the Eckersberg medal (1948) and several medals at the Milan Triennale.
Associated object
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.133-1959

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Record createdJune 23, 2009
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