Not on display

Tanaquil

Knife
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
Brief description
Stainless steel butter spreader, 'Tanaquil' designed by Magnus Stephensen for Georg Jensen, Denmark, 1955
Physical description
Stainless steel butter spreader, 'Tanaquil' range. A straight strip of metal witha triangular blade, the lower edge curved.
Dimensions
  • Taken from register length: 6.5in
  • Taken from register width: 0.37in
Style
Production typeMass produced
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.134-1959

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Record createdJune 2, 2005
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