Not currently on display at the V&A

Tanaquil

Spoon
ca.1955 (designed), 1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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
TitleTanaquil (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Stainless steel, forged
Brief description
Spoon, stainless steel, Denmark, Copenhagen, made by Georg Jensen Ltd., 1959, designed by Magnus Stephensen, ca.1955.
Physical description
Knife, stainless steel, the handles a straight strip of metal, half round in cross section, oval bowl.
Dimensions
  • Length: 7.625in
  • Width: 1.6in (maximum)
Style
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
GEORG JENSEN STAINLESS DENMARK (Stamped on the handle.)
Summary
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 objects
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.130-1959

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON