Harald Nielsen (Denmark), jewellery

Harald Christian Nielsen (20 July 1892 – 22 December 1977) was a Danish designer of silver for Georg Jensen. The younger brother of Georg Jensen's third wife, he joined the company at 17 as a chaser's apprentice but later became one of the company's leading designers in the 1920s and 1930s and Jensen's closest colleague.

Nielsen's father died when he was one year old and his mother then moved the family to Copenhagen. His eldest sister, Johanne, married Georg Jensen in 1907. In 1909, Nielsen began an apprenticeship as a chaser in his brother-in-law's silver workshop. The company paid for his drawing lessons with Carl V. Meyer.

Nielsen quickly rose through the ranks at Georg Jensen, becoming a designer in 1918. His early designs were influenced by the Art Nouveau movement, but he soon developed his own distinctive style, which was characterized by more... its simplicity and geometric forms. He was particularly interested in the relationship between form and function, and his designs were often inspired by nature.

Nielsen's most famous design is the pyramid flatware pattern, which was introduced in 1927. The pyramid pattern is characterized by its simple, geometric shapes and its use of contrasting finishes. It is one of the most popular flatware patterns in the world and is still in production today. Nielsen also designed a wide range of other objects for Georg Jensen, including jewellery, tableware, and decorative objects. His work is characterized by its clean lines, elegant proportions, and use of high-quality materials.

Nielsen was a highly influential figure in the Danish design movement and was a member of the Danish Arts and Crafts Society and the Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He was also awarded the Eckersberg Medal, the highest honour in Danish art, in 1953. Nielsen died in Hellerup, Denmark, in 1977. His work is represented in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. less...