Important Silversmiths - David Andersen
19th Century Norwegian silver-gilt & plique-a-jour enamel 'Dragestil' Viking longboat, the sides applied with translucent enamel panels of stylized flowers and scrolls in red, green, blue, turquoise and yellow. Hallmarked silver (925), Norway, Oslo, active 1876-1901, Maker David Andersen.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A4803
Widely considered one of the best Norwegian goldsmiths and silversmiths, David Andersen was apprenticed to the jeweller Jacob Tostrup in Christiania (now Oslo). During his apprenticeship he traveled to Berlin, Paris and London, where he exported the unique technique of the Norwegian filigree. In 1876 he was back in Christiania, where he founded his own company introducing his own mark, ‘David Andersen’.
The very high quality of his artworks brought an immediate success to the firm, that soon became leader in the Norwegian goldsmith industry. By 1899 the company counted 121 employees and in 1900 it won a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.
19th Century Norwegian silver-gilt & cloisonneé-enamel tea service, comprised of a hot water pot, teapot, sugar bowl and cream jug, decorated with blue turquoise enamel on wirework floral scrolls, with white intertwining and beaded boarders on matted silver-gilt ground.
Hallmarked Norwegian silver (925 standard), Oslo, Maker's mark for David Andersen
Reference Number: A5334
When David died, in 1901, his son Arthur took over the company and changed his surname to David-Andersen. He introduced the enamel technique and the Art Nouveau style receiving a wide consent.
The company kept pace with changing trends throughout the 20th century producing over time beautifully crafted silver pieces and fine jewellery. Nowadays the firm is run by the fourth generation of the David-Andersen family.
