Gesp in de vorm van twee vissen c. 1911 - 1914

Here, we have Carl Christian Fjerdingstad's "Clasp in the Shape of Two Fish," a stunning silver piece. The symmetrical composition immediately draws the eye. The twin fish face each other, their forms meticulously detailed. The craftsmanship is evident in the engraved scales and fluid lines that capture the movement of water. Notice the cluster of stones at the center, where the fish meet. This acts as a focal point, its organic shape contrasting with the streamlined bodies. This juxtaposition of organic and stylized forms destabilizes any clear categorization, blending naturalism with Art Nouveau's penchant for decorative abstraction. Fjerdingstad's work invites us to consider how the very structure of design can articulate broader cultural and philosophical concerns. The way the silver is worked—smooth in some areas, textured in others—creates a tactile quality that engages the viewer beyond the visual. These details, though small, function as critical components, reflecting the artist's engagement with ideas of transformation.