|
|
|
| How to Post Photos | Want to be a Moderator? |
|
|
|
| How to Post Photos | Want to be a Moderator? |
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silver Jewelry
 Who the hell is Willy Kromar?
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Who the hell is Willy Kromar? |
|
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 08-17-2005 09:57 AM
  
I just bought myself a bracelet by a Jensen wannabe, by the name of Willy Jacob Kromar, a Danish silversmith of some great obscurity. The piece is marked only: W.KR / 830S. The initials show up in a long list of Danish silversmiths that I found online, but nowhere else. Presumably this stuff was not made for the American market, being 830 silver but there were two of his pieces for sale in the US at the same time, so some must have been imported (by tourists?). Anyone out there an expert on obscure Danish silversmiths? IP: Logged |
|
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 08-17-2005 12:44 PM
826- and 830-grade silver were the common standards used in Denmark until perhaps the 30s, when sterling became the norm, although some makers did continue to use the lower grades well into the century. If your bracelet is what you would call Jensen-esque, it might be an example of skonvirke ("aesthetic work") jewelry, Denmark's equivalent of the Arts & Crafts style (although a great deal of it was only machine-stamped to resemble handwork). Skonvirke jewelry typically has what I would call a "puffy" look--succulent leaves, voluptuous scrolls, etc. Does this describe the style of your bracelet? Most of the jewelry Georg Jensen himself designed is in the skonvirke style. As you suggest, not a great deal turns up over here, but it is quite collectible, especially items by good names like Bernard Hertz, Mogens Ballin, and of course Jensen. Can you post a picture of your bracelet? Also, what is the Danish maker website you mention? IP: Logged |
|
sazikov2000 Posts: 254 |
posted 08-17-2005 02:29 PM
All I could find: Willy H. Jacob Kromar Bagsvaerd, 1943 - 1993 Hope that helps IP: Logged |
|
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 08-17-2005 03:11 PM
Well, that sounds a little later than the skonvirke period, so maybe it isn't skonvirke after all. Here are a few typical examples of skonvirke jewelry: IP: Logged |
|
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 08-18-2005 09:13 AM
My bracelet is definitely not skonvirke type (that's a new term for me, but I get what you mean). It is very crisp and tailored, almost architectonic, but has stylized leaves and scrolling tendrils. Based on the use of different silver standards, I'd guess it's from the start of Kromar's career...I found the same lonely list that Sazikov found--and I'd guess those are his working dates, not his life dates. He couldn't have been born in 1943...But I can see this from a WWII era production that came to the US with the tourist trade. IP: Logged |
|
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 08-18-2005 09:19 AM
 Here's an image of the bracelet. This stuff is taxing my tiny smooth brain! It's a very 40s/50s look, which would make sense, assuming that dear Willy wasn't born in '43. IP: Logged |
|
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 08-18-2005 10:09 AM
I agree it looks similar to some Jensen items from the same period, the mid 40s. The Danish style did have a pretty strong footing in the American market by this time. While there were a lot of American-made Jensen knockoffs, I wouldn't be surpised if at least one U.S. jewelry retailer tried to cash in by offering actual Danish jewelry, like the Kromar bracelet. [This message has been edited by Paul Lemieux (edited 08-18-2005).] IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 02-05-2006 01:21 PM
Via email from a new registered user who was confused about why they can't post in this forum. I couldn't post their message without some snipping. They obviously haven't read the SSF Guidelines. I hope if they see that this has been posted as per their request that they will take the time to become familiar with the Guidelines. quote: IP: Logged |
|
outwest Posts: 390 |
posted 04-03-2006 09:20 PM
hmm. Could this other silversmith have worked at the factory? IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |
