.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Harald Nielsen (1892-1977) was one of Georg Jensen's most acclaimed designers, whose work bridged the gap between the firm's founding designers, Georg Jensen and Johan Rohde, and the following generation of designers who were drawn to modernism. Nielsen's work always strove to maintain a balance between ornament and plain surface.
Nielsen was clearly inspired by Rhode's famous fish platter with addorsed fish handle (an example dating from 1933-44, sold Christie's, New York, 19 May 2010, lot 46), but adapted it to create his own successful designs. For example, Nielsen incorporated his pyramid pattern with a stylized dolphin finial on a fish dish, 1945-77, which sold from the Rowler Collection, Christie's New York, 19 January 2005, lot 329.
This early fish platter, dating to 1933-44, features stylized fish-fin handles, a pierced mazarine and whimsical fish finial. This platter also relates to two others from 1933-44, with duck finials, which sold from the Rowler Collection, lot 335. (See Janet Drucker and William Drucker, Georg Jensen 20th Century Designs, 2002, for an illustration of this design).
Nielsen was clearly inspired by Rhode's famous fish platter with addorsed fish handle (an example dating from 1933-44, sold Christie's, New York, 19 May 2010, lot 46), but adapted it to create his own successful designs. For example, Nielsen incorporated his pyramid pattern with a stylized dolphin finial on a fish dish, 1945-77, which sold from the Rowler Collection, Christie's New York, 19 January 2005, lot 329.
This early fish platter, dating to 1933-44, features stylized fish-fin handles, a pierced mazarine and whimsical fish finial. This platter also relates to two others from 1933-44, with duck finials, which sold from the Rowler Collection, lot 335. (See Janet Drucker and William Drucker, Georg Jensen 20th Century Designs, 2002, for an illustration of this design).