318: A RARE GUSTAV PEDERSON GRAPE BASKET FOR GEORG JENSEN

Fruit baskets and centerpieces, many decorated with grape cluster motifs, began to appear on the tables of 18th and early 19th century British sophisticates at the turn of the 19th century. Silver grape shears appeared at about this same time. 'Vintage' pattern table wares with grape motifs remained popular through the Victorian era and silver articles of this type are still made. But hammered sterling silver baskets of modernist design intended to hang clusters of grapes seem to be exclusive to the innovative Danish silversmiths of the 20th century, and quite rare. The example offered here from the workshops of Georg Jensen, and a similar but different design by them, appear to be the only examples made to suspend grape clusters for display on the table.

This scarce example is stamped number 542 and signed Georg Jensen 925S along with the maker's mark used only from 1915 to 1925. The mark of DESSIN GP attributes the work to designer Gustav Pedersen (1895 - 1972) who was appointed foreman of Georg Jensen's hollowware department in 1917 and designed many of Jensen's hollowware classics.

Of this craftsmanship, the French art critic Pierre Lahalle wrote, 'It is by means of a discrete hammering of the smooth surfaces that George Jensen's work achieves its incomparable beauty; this bright vibration in the silver subdues it's excessive gloss, removes every thought of mechanical labor, reveals the hand of the worker…'

Found nearly black in the family home, the surface of this basket was only lightly polished to display the fine pattern of hammer markings overall. The bottom rim is engraved JOSEPHINE BIRD HALL - 1938 and comes directly from the collection of Josephine Bird Hall (1888 - 1948), descended through the family to the current owner.
Measures 12.5 x 9.5 x 10 inches, weighs 37.75 ozt.
Very good original condition throughout, only very lightly polished by hand after being found nearly black in the estate. There are no issues of damage, repair, or heavy wear. There are no visible monograms, though the underside of the rim is engraved with family dedication and date of 1938.
Provenance: The collection of Josephine Bird Hall (1888 - 1948) by descent to her son, the present owner. Josephine's father was a founder of Kansas City's Emery, Bird, Thayer Department Store.
$4,000 - $5,000