Ladle c. 1929

This ladle was made by Georg Jensen, the celebrated Danish silversmith. It's sterling silver, of course – formed, chased, and polished. Now, silver is an interesting material. Prized for its beauty, but also for its malleability. It takes a beating well, making it ideal for dining utensils. Look closely at the handle. You can see how Jensen has used the full capacity of the material. The handle isn’t just a straight bar, it’s shaped and decorated with stylized motifs. This combination of form and ornament raises a question: is this piece design or sculpture? Well, the answer is both. Jensen wasn’t afraid to blur those lines. He understood that even the most functional object could be elevated through careful attention to detail. In this way, it demonstrates the skill involved in its production, elevating craft to the level of art.