The bold, beautiful and stylish world of Scandinavian jewellery

The bold, beautiful and stylish world of Scandinavian jewellery

SCANDINAVIAN design is known to be simple but well executed and the jewellery is no different, writes Louise Ludlam-Snook.

Pieces are bold yet beautiful and stylish; the subject matter is often organic such as leaves and flowers.

Scandinavian enamel jewellery is my favourite due to the bright, bold colours.

The technique used is guilloche enamel – this is enamel on top of an engine turned pattern in the metal beneath.

Scandinavian jewellery is a valuer’s and collector’s dream because the majority have maker's marks and assay marks, so you can look up all that information fairly easily, which is always a bonus.

There are certain maker's marks that you come to recognise as they show up regularly, including Ivar T. Holth, David Andersen, Anton Michelson, Askel Holmsen, Hroar Prydz and Oystein Balle.

This Georg Jensen silver brooch dating back to 1963 sold at auction in the spring for £300. Its openwork design displays a bird in a nest within reeds.

The most well-known is of course Georg Jensen, so prices on this jewellery are at a premium.

Jensen's early designs were dominated by nature motives which became more stylised and simplified later on.

Jensen took on gifted silver designers and gave them free reign, nurturing over 90 craftspeople throughout his working life, such as Henning Koppel who designed jewellery and silverware and Vivianna Torun Buelow-Huebe, whose Eternity range of jewellery is easily recognisable.

A snowflake brooch by David Andersen which sold at auction for £150.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers jewellery appraisals, insurance valuations and probate advice by appointment at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Fradley Park, and pop-up, drop-in jewellery valuations also take place on Tuesdays at The Hub at St Mary’s in Lichfield and at Burntwood Library on the last Tuesday in the month.

To book appointments or to discuss full or partial house clearances, telephone 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.

Pictured at the top the page, clockwise: A David Andersen butterfly brooch, a group of three brooches by Askel Holmsen and a starfish brooch by Ivar T. Holth.