BENT KNUDSEN (Denmark 1924 – 1997)

Bent Knudsen was trained as a silversmith at C.M. Cohr's in Fredericia and joined the Hans Hansen workshop in 1946. In 1956 he and his wife Anni (b. 1926) started their own workshop where they produced silver jewellery in a simple and clear style. Their pieces are often mounted with hematite, malachite, topaz and amethyst cabochons.

Whereas the 40's in Denmark had spurred an experimental investigation into materials, the 50's experimented with form and shapes, as artist and designers broke the barrier even further between artist and craftsman. Jewellery started to become an art in itself and the Danish Jewelers' Association began to hold annual competitions starting in 1950, which helped encourage the development of newer designs.