Tag: metalware

Designer Desire: IRA Denmark

Montage of IRA Denmark metalware designs

Colourful vintage metalware is always a big seller on the H is for Home shop website. Worcesterware and Laurids Lønborg are the two main makers; however, IRA Denmark items are also very sought after.

IRA Denmark is the name of the company which was based in Copenhagen. Four of the main designers were Anita Wangel, Ethel von Horn, Arne Bentsen and Kamma Svensson. I can’t find out much about any of these individuals; there was a 2013 article in Scandinavian Retro magazine (shown at the top of the montage above), but my Swedish language knowledge is practically non-existent!

The only information that I have is that Ethel von Horn was Swedish, Arne Bentsen was Danish and Anita Wangel was Finnish. The eye-catching tins, coasters, bread bins etc were retailed through department stores and mail order across Scandinavia.

Find examples of IRA Denmark metalware on eBay and Etsy.

If you know anything further, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Image credits:
Pinterest | Scandinavian Retro

Designer Desire: Pierre Forssell

Montage of Pierre Forssell metalware designs

Pierre Forssell (1925-2004) was a Swedish metalsmith who worked primarily in brass and gold plate. His output was very modern and masculine; pieces include candle-holders, wall & ceiling lamps, vases, cigarette lighters and an exquisite decanter and cup set (shown above).

From the 1950s to the 1970s, he designed many pieces for Skultuna (where he was Creative Director), some of which are still in production to this day.

Pierre Forssell also worked for Gense where he was designing cutlery including the relaunched Retro Collection (shown in the montage image above). First designed in the 1950s, the range includes salt & pepper shakers, cocktail forks (similar to the ‘spork‘) and salad servers. They are available on Amazon.

Vintage examples of his designs come up for sale on 1stDibs, eBay, Etsy, Pamona, Vinterior and on Scandinavian auction sites such as Bukowskis.

Portrait of Pierre Forssellcredit

Additional image credits:
1stDibs | Bukowskis

Designer Desire: Guy Vidal

Montage of Guy Vidal jewellery and metalware designs

Guy Vidal (b. 1938) is a French Canadian multi-disciplinary artist & designer. His current practice is in paper however, it’s his vintage jewellery that we’ll be featuring in this week’s Designer Desire.

When we first saw his work, we thought he would hail from Scandinavia. His mid-century pieces are modernist and brutalist – created using pewter, brass and silver and gold plate – and remind us of makers such as Jacob Hull and Jorma Laine.

Vidal explains the development of his practice.

I started with printmaking (etchings and lithographs) where paper, copper and stone appealed to me as much as the finished product. I then favored metal (copper, pewter, silver and gold) with jewelry and sculpture. My research at this time was aimed at the solid construction of volume and the aesthetics of the finished product. Later, I worked with cold glass, that is to say etched with a sandblastr. Another monochrome material offering many possibilities, given its transparency. Through this crystalline material, I saw my imprint in the finished work. I was evolving, without realizing it, towards my current approach.

He was very prolific during his jewellery making career, so examples often come up for sale on both Etsy and eBay.

Portrait of Guy Vidalcredit

Additional image credits:
Live Auctioneers

Designer Desire: Pentti Sarpaneva

Montage of Pentti Sarpaneva glass and metalware designs | H is for Home

This week, I planned to feature the jewellery designs of Pentti Sarpaneva in our Designer Desire slot. However, I’m also really taken by his glass and metal homeware items – so I’m going with those instead.

Pentti Sarpaneva’s designs – like many of his Norwegian compatriots – are very elemental and brutalist. He uses brass, bronze, silver, gold, amber coloured glass, enamel and semi-precious stones such as agate, amethyst, obsidian and spectrolite.

He designed for Turun Hopea Oy and Kalevala Koru and the Kumela glass factory. You can find examples of his jewellery and homewares on eBay and Etsy.

Sarpaneva (1925-78) is the older brother of the more well-known designer, Timo.

Portrait of Pentti Sarpaneva with his mother and brother, TimoPortrait of Pentti Sarpaneva (left) with his mother and brother, Timo (credit)

Additional image credits:

Bukowskis | Designlasi