We invite you to share our Scandinavian tradition of Advent, the joyful four-week celebration which heralds the holiday season. Traditions include lighting a candle on the Advent wreath each of the four weeks before Christmas, while preparations include a myriad of baked goods and warm glögg. We have enjoyed decorating the gallery in the Danish Christmas tradition and we have put together a selection of Scandinavian treasures for our First Advent Gift Guide with a nod to our Nordic history and an eye to quality. Scandinavian design was a major influence globally in the last century. Characterised by simplicity and functional minimalism, it emerged in the early 20th century, flourished mid-century and continues to inspire to this day. Scandinavian Design is currently immensely popular, with early works commanding higher and higher prices internationally. Enjoy!

Frants P.D. Henningsen (Danish, 1850-1908), *In Bethlehem*, oil on canvas mounted on panel, signed with monogram lower left "FH", depicting the newborn Jesus Christ in his mother's arms, surrounded by shepherds and Joseph, size: 17 ¾ x 15 ¼ in (with frame 22 ½ x 20 in)

This intimate depiction of the Holy Family is a stunning work by Frantz Henningsen who was known for his traditional genre scenes. It could be from the period when he travelled to Spain and was influenced by the Spanish School and Velasquez.

The Danish genre painter, illustrator and professor Frants Henningsen was born in Copenhagen in 1850, the elder brother of Erik Henningsen who was also an artist. Frantz is known for his traditional, realist depictions of the middle-class living in Copenhagen often depicting tragic, life changing events.

Frants graduated from Borgerdyd School and then attended C.V. Nielsen’s drawing school before studying at the Danish Royal Academy where he graduated in 1875. He studied in Paris where he was influenced by the French modern style of the day, interpreted in his own traditional academic style. He was also influenced by Millet who was highly regarded in Denmark, bringing to Frants’ work the highlighting of human dimensions of poverty and distress. In 1878 he travelled to Spain with the artists Frans Schwartz, Julius Lange and the famous Peder Severin Krøyer, where he may have been influenced by the dark colouring of the Spanish School and Velasquez. In these tones he influenced not only his brother but also the painters Edvard Petersen, Paul Fischer and Tom Petersen. In 1880 Frants Henningsen became the son-in-law of Frederik Vermehren. Frantz Henningsen exhibited regularly, including the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition nearly every year from 1874.

A Danish five branch silver candelabrum, maker G. Epel, inspired by Georg Jensen, with pierced stem, forged with beaded ornamentation, marked ‘EPEL 830S Denmark’, 830 silver standard, size: 5 3/4 h x 9 w x 9 d in

We have a large selection of Danish Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates available, including the first Christmas Plate created by Royal Copenhagen, designed in 1908 by Christian Thomsen.

The history of the Danish Christmas plate began in 1888 at the Nordic Industrial, Agricultural and Arts Exhibition in Copenhagen. Held in and around Tivoli Gardens the exhibition would host 1.3 million guests, more than 50% of the population of Denmark at the time. The Royal Danish Porcelain Factory (Royal Copenhagen) created a series of plates that lined the podiums used for display. The plates were decorated with the factory logo - the crown representing the royal stamp with three waves symbolizing Denmark's three straits: Storebælt, Lillebælt and Øresund. Crown Princess Louise of Denmark, attending the fair, purchased a plate as a keepsake which plate was left on display at the fair with a note. The note caused a trend, as visitors to the fair quickly acquired the remaining plates. Having run out of supply the factory produced more to meet demand, and with this success they recognized that plates could be reproduced to mark special occasions and events. In the years that followed Royal Copenhagen created collectable plates to mark events in relation to the Danish Royal family.

It was at almost the same time that an artist working for the Royal Danish Porcelain Factory, Frans August Hallin, was working on a way to carve a relief into a plate mould in order to repeat decoration en masse. By creating a depth of relief, the plate could be flooded with glaze and the deeper areas would appear darker. In 1895 he left for the rival firm Bing and Grondahl.

It was Harald Bing, the owner of Bing and Grondahl, who decided to create a collector’s plate for annual occasions, with a new design each year. Launching the first Christmas plate in 1895, using Frans August Hallin’s relief idea. Royal Copenhagen followed suite with their own Christmas plate thirteen years later in 1908. The two firms merged in 1987 but both series of Christmas plates have continued to be produced each year.

This was the first Christmas Plate created by Royal Copenhagen, designed in 1908 by Christian Thomsen. Marked on base, with three blue waves and 129 for the artist. Minute chip to underside of edge. Size: 1" h x 6" w x 6" d

Danish sterling silver pitcher with pear shaped body and integrated handle, designed by Kay Fisker 1893-1965 and produced by A.Michelsen, with a 1 Liter capacity, marked with year stamp L9 for 1962, size: 9 ½ h x 6 w x 4 ½ d in

N.P. Mols (Danish, 1859-1921), *The New Puppy*, oil on canvas, signed lower left "N.P. Mols '09", size: 16 ¾ x 13 ½ in (with frame 23 ¾ x 20 ¾ in)

Born in Denmark in 1859 Niels Pedersen Mols started his artistic training at the Academy of Fine Art in Copenhagen. He expanded his training with travels though Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Italy. He like other artists of his generation took a new realistic approach to painting moving away from the older romantic and folk styles. Mols was especially influenced by French painters of animals, in particular Rosa Bonheur and her sympathetic approach to capturing her subjects. He became best known for his animal paintings but did paint coastal fishers and portraits.

In his life Mols received many scholarships and prizes including one in Chicago in 1893 and the Eckersberg and Ancher’s prize. He was a member of the board of Academy and the committee of censors at Charlottenborg and exhibited across Denmark and internationally in the United States, Germany, and Sweden.

Georg Jensen (Danish, 1866-1935), 59 piece set of sterling silver art deco flatware in the Bernadotte pattern, designed by Sigvard Bernadotte in 1939, stamped with Georg Jensen post 1945 mark

Johannes Hansen (Danish, 1903-1995), *Nude Standing*, bronze of a nude woman standing contrapposto with long flowing hair, monogramed "JH" and foundry stamp to base partially legible "….. Køb", size in inches: 16 h x 7 w x 4 d

The well known Danish sculptor Johannes Christian Hansen is best known for his naturalistic and carefully proportioned figures of women, children and couples. He was born in Copenhagen, the son of pianomaker and amateur artist Jens F. hansen. Johannes studied at the Royal Danish Academy, first under Ejnar Nielsen and then at the sculpture school under Einar Utzon-Frank. Johannes travelled during his studies, spending time in Munich in 1921, France and Italy in 1924–25 (including six months in Pisa) and Berlin in 1926. He was awarded the Eckersberg Medal in 1939. He worked as artistic director for the Knabstrup Keramiske Industri ceramic factory, where he experimented with a wide variety of glazes. His sculpture “Young People Sitting” can be seen today on Nørrebrogade in Copenhagen.

Large round Danish Art Deco sterling silver bowl with flat lined rim, stamped with Copenhagen three tower mark (.830) and dated 1937, and assayer's mark for Johannes Stittgard (1832-1960), inscribed "Lis og David Ker 18-6-1960 Mormor", Small dent in bowl, size in inches: 12.5 h x 12.5 w x 2.5 d

Danish sterling silver Christmas spoon and fork set by A. Michelsen, gold plated with inlaid enamel decoration in 8 colours. This set was made for Christmas 1984 and was designed by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

The tradition of the Danish Christmas spoon and fork set began with the firm A. Michelsen. Anton Michelsen was an extremely well trained and apprenticed goldsmith, who opened his own shop in Copenhagen in 1841. He immediately caught the attention of the Royal Court and by 1848 he had risen to the title of Jeweller to the Royal Court. He was the only Danish goldsmith represented at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris.

Anton’s son Carl Michelsen continued the firm after his father’s death in 1877. He began to collaborate with well-known artists and designers including Arnold Krog the artistic director of Royal Copenhagen, artist and ceramic designer Harald Slott-Moller, architect Martin Nyrop, and Thorvald Bindesbold the architect, sculptor and ornamental artist best know today for having designed the Carlsberg beer label. It was during this period that the first Christmas spoon and fork were created in 1910, likely influenced by the success of the Bing & Grondahl and Royal Copenhagen Christmas (Jul) plates. This first 1910 set showed the Star of Bethlehem topped with the word Jul (Christmas in English) and was designed by one of the firm’s designers NC Dyrlund. The 1910 design does not include the year as it was intended to be a one-off. The set was a great success and started a new yearly Christmas tradition, the limited edition only made in the year of production after which the moulds are destroyed.

For each set a new artist was selected to design the Jul motif. Originally designers were mainly painters but as success continued, architects and jewellers joined as designers. The firm would select an emerging young artist who was given decision-making over design, colour and shape within the confines of the required form. Because of this each year’s design varied greatly and by 1925 enamelled decoration appeared almost every year. In 2003 Georg Jensen took over production of the Christmas spoon and fork and they continued to produce them until the final year of production in 2009, marking 100 years of production.

Scandinavian silver Hovedvandsaeg (pomander or vinaigrette for aromatic perfumed liquids or smelling salts), with ornate crown top and gilt interior, possibly Danish, inscribed "Karen Johns Detter 1803", size: 3 ½ h in

Julius Paulsen (Danish, 1860-1940), *A Little Girl Is Playing With a Green Apple*, oil on canvas, signed and dated upper left "Jul. Paulsen, 1919", size: 19 ½ x 21 in (with frame 25 ½ x 24 in)

We love this painting depicting a little girl playing with an apple — the artist has captured the moment superbly and we can almost feel her yearning for the treat.

Danish silver beaker with beaded rim and hammmered decoration, stamped with Copenhagen three tower mark (.830) and dated 1939, as well as assayer's mark for Johannes Stittgard (1832-1960), and Danish Trade Association Dansk Arbedje, maker's mark for Grann & Laglye, size in inches: 4.25 h x 3.37 w x 3.37 d
SOLD

Pair of Royal Copenhagen of bisque porcelain wall plaques "Night" and "Day" after Bertel Thorvaldsen, marked for Royal Copenhagen Denmark with three waves, circa 1969-1974, size: ¼ h x 6 w x 6 d in

Denmark’s famous Bertel Thorvaldesn was considered the greatest sculptor in Europe and one of the leaders of the Neoclassical movement which spanned the 18th and 19th centuries. Born in Copenhagen in 1770, he was accepted into the Danish Royal Academy at the age of 11 and was awarded a stipend to travel to Rome where he made a name for himself and maintained a large workshop. He spent most of his life in Italy and was received as a national hero upon his return to Denmark. The Thorvaldsen Museum was erected in Copenhagen, next to Christiansborg Palace, to house his works. The museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

“Night” and “Day” date from 1815 and are Thorvaldsen’s most popular reliefs which hang opposite each other in the Thorvaldsen Museum. The two reliefs personify the two halves of the day and together represent the whole of the 24-hour period. “Night” floats across the sky with eyes closed like those of the children in her arms, her wreath braided with poppies (known for their sleep-inducing properties) and an owl flying underneath. “Day” flies across the sky, looking over her shoulder and turning her gaze to the small torch-bearing boy who symbolizes the light and the sun. The two plaques together represent the whole of the day.

Mogens Vantore (Danish, 1895-1977), *Red Tulips and Evergreen Sprigs*, oil on canvas, signed lower right "Vantore" and numbered on reverse "3587/5504", size in inches: 21.75 h x 17.88 w (with frame: 28 h x 24.25 w)

Royal Copenhagen blue fluted half lace pattern tazza or comport #513, 1935, size: 6 h x 8 ½ w x 8 ½ d in

Blue Fluted Plain was Royal Copenhagen's first dinner service, designed in 1775 and revised in the 1880's by Arnold Krog. Today, it is one of the world’s most famous and desirable porcelain sets. Blue Fluted Plain is still produced as it has been since the beginning, where each piece is treated as a piece of art and is lovingly painted by hand. This comport is decorated with the Half Lace pattern, which is no longer in production.

Pair of Danish silver sauce pots or brandy warmers with handles, stamped with Copenhagen three tower mark (.826) and dated 1937, and assayer's mark for Johannes Stittgard (1832-1960), size in inches: 1.75 h x 4 w x 6 d

These well-balanced baluster shaped single handed pots were used to warm brandy to release the spirit aromas.

Royal Copenhagen, *Wave and Rock*, model number 1132 and impressed monogram on back of rocks, size: 18 h x 11 w x 8 ¾ d in

Wave and Rock, possibly the most iconic Royal Copenhagen figurine, was modelled after the original marble sculpture Vågen och stranden 1897 (The Wave and the Beach) by Theodor Lundberg (Swedish 1852-1926). There are two versions of the original marble, both located in Stockholm Sweden. The first is owned by The King of Sweden and located in Stockholm Castle, and the second is in the Swedish National Museum. Royal Copenhagen began to produce Wave and Rock in approximately 1911, and it remained in production through the 20th century. The piece is modelled as a naked young man manacled to a rock at the sea's edge, embraced by a naked woman with flowing hair, naturalistically painted.

Pair of Danish sterling silver decanter labels with pierced wording for Scotch and Rye, with chains, marked "Denmark/E. Dragsted/Sterling", size in inches: 1.75 h x 1 w

Einar Roed Dragsted (1887-1967) was an active silversmith and designer in Copenhagen Denmark from the 1920s until his death in 1967. One of 100 "purveyors to the Danish Crown", following after his grandfather Arendt Dragsted (1821-1898). In 1923, Arendt Dragsted's factory workshop was separated under the company name E. Dragsted with Einar as sole proprietor. The firm produced silver and pewter ware and also became known for it’s art-industrial bronze goods. Einar's designs were unique for the times in which they were produced, and he gained wide notoriety as a highly skilled silversmith. Today his tableware and jewellery are admired by a wide range of collectors whose tastes range from Traditional to Art Deco to Danish Modern.

Wenzel Tornøe (Danish, 1844-1907), *A Family Moment*, oil on canvas, signed lower left "Venzel Tornøe", size: 28.75 h x 20.5 w in (with frame 37 h x 28 1/2 w in)

Danish silver serving spoon with large bowl and shell decoration, stamped with Copenhagen three tower mark (.830) and dated 1936, as well as assayer's mark for Johannes Stittgard (1832-1960), and maker's mark for Carl M. Cohr (1893-1937), size in inches: 9 h x 3.2 w x 2 d
SOLD

Danish silver tobacco box with hinged lid, lined with wood, stamped with Copenhagen three tower mark (.830) and dated 1947, as well as assayer's mark for Johannes Stittgard (1832-1960), small dent, size in inches: 1.5 h x 4 w x 3.5 d

Frederik Rohde (Danish 1816-1886), *A Sleigh Ride*, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right "F. Rohde 1876", Exhibited Charlottenborg 1876, Provenance: Grocer H. Rohde I Randers, size: 11 ¾ x 14 ¼ in (with frame 18 ½ x 21 ¼ in)

This intimate winter scene by the well known Danish artist Frederik Rohde is delightful highlighted by the dog’s enthusiasm at the front of the sleigh. It was exhibited at the Danish Royal Academy in 1876, the year it was painted.

Rohde was born in Copenhagen on May 27th, 1816. He studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen from 1830 until 1834, where he painted with J.L. Lund, H. Buntzen, and Christian Kobke. Rohde soon built a reputation as a talented landscape painter, and his winter scenes of small-town Denmark were particularly admired. As a young adult, he held numerous exhibitions in Denmark, particularly at the Danish Royal Academy in Charlottenborg.

His education complete, Rohde left Denmark for a number of years in order to expand his horizons and experience something of the world. He spent six years travelling abroad, living in Munich, the Tyrol and Italy. Rohde returned to Denmark in 1847, where he spent the remainder of his life.Today his works are represented in museums in Copenhagen, Randers, Bergen, Stockholm, and Goteborg.

Further reading…

To understand the Danish Design movement, one must study the influences that shaped key designers as Georg Jensen and made them such prolific disseminators of Scandinavian design. Read our History & Global Influence of Scandinavian Design Insights post to learn more.