A SILVER NECKLACE, BY HENNING KOPPEL FOR GEORG...

A SILVER NECKLACE, BY HENNING KOPPEL FOR GEORG JENSEN, CIRCA 1950 Composed of a series of fancy-shaped links with a round-shaped cabochon lapis lazuli clasp, with maker's mark for Georg Jensen since 1945, stamped '925 Sterling Denmark', numbered '130B', length 43cm Henning Koppel (1918-1981) was a Danish designer and artist well-known as an early pioneer of 20th century functionalism. He studied sculpture at the Royal Danish Academy and then later at the Academie Ranson in Paris. As a result of his Jewish background Koppel sought refuge in Sweden during the Second World War. Koppel was one of the more prominent designers to feature with Jensen. His stint began in 1945, prior to this he was mentored by Harald Nielsen On returning to Denmark after the war, he secured a contract working with Georg Jensen, a collaboration that launched his career as a jewellery designer. Amongst his early creations - a series of necklaces and bracelets resembling whale vertebrae and microscopic organisms - were miniature masterpieces of highly original modelling. These designs were unlike anything that had been produced in the Jensen workshop in the previous 40 years and he became one of the most iconic designers for the company. Koppel specialised in abstract forms that were both startling and beautiful. His work, similar to Jensen's has a sculptural element to it. Koppel was mindful of the jewellery he was creating and how it would interact with natural light - Jensen also considered this. Koppel created tactile works, that evoke a wanting to touch them. In the place of jewels, he would use enamels. Koppel created an astonishing range of work throughout his career from one off signature designs to everyday objects. Both were defined by their elegant but functional qualities, in flowing organic forms. Koppel was a master draughtsman who executed precise drawings for his works which allowed him to understand the design's three dimensionality. He won many awards including three Gold Medals at the Milan Triennial, the International Design Award of the American Institute of Designers and the Lunning Prize. Koppel's works are represented in numerous museums worldwide.