Jens Hansen 40th Anniversary Collection Released
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Jens Hansen 40th Anniversary Collection Released
The Jens Hansen 40th Anniversary Collection is being released today, to mark the Nelson jeweller's 40 years of Scandinavian-inspired design.
The anniversary collection is made up of classic experimental Jens pieces with the constant undercurrent of Danish architectural simplicity. They are outstanding designs that have both endured the decades, and defy fashion.
Each collection piece will be made-to-order using Jens' original goldsmithing techniques. Each piece will also come with a replica of its original workshop production card, and will bear a special edition hallmark, authenticating it as a 40th anniversary collectable.
The exclusive collection is available for viewing at our Selwyn Place workshop in Nelson, or on our website. 40th Anniversary Collection
Anniversary Background
Jens Hansen, his wife Gurli and son Halfdan moved from Auckland to Nelson in August 1968 and opened their first workshop in November the same year. Son Thorkild was born the following year.
Word of Jens' unique style soon spread. He was gregarious and outspoken and people loved his edgy, experimental work. As his works' popularity increased, both locally and nationally, the workshop was moved to Hardy St, where Jens started to take on apprentices in the traditional goldsmith manner. The jewellers had moved to the current Selwyn Place/Trafalgar Square workshop in Nelson by 1971.
Over the past four decades, Jens Hansen Contemporary Gold & Silversmith has become recognised the world over for classically designed jewellery with true spirit and timeless style, with works celebrated in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa's permanent collection and in literature showcasing New Zealand art and design.
Jens' legacy includes his reputation as one of the founders of New Zealand contemporary jewelley design and his celebrity as the designer of the Lord of the Rings One Ring. He received a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council travel grant to work at the Goldsmiths High School, Copenhagen in 1975, was the founding member of Details - the Jewellers, Bone and Stone Carvers of New Zealand, and helped establish Nelson Polytechnic jewellery classes. He passed away in 1999 leaving Thorkild Hansen as the Chief Jeweller.
Today, under the management of Jens' son Halfdan Hansen, Jens Hansen Contemporary Gold & Silversmith continues to offer a beautiful range of diamonds and gems set in contemporary and classic gold, silver and platinum rings, necklaces, brooches, cufflinks, earrings and bracelets.
Labels: halfdan hansen, jens hansen
posted by HHansen at Friday, October 31, 2008
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