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NANNA DITZEL (1923 - 2005)Nanna Ditzel is one of Denmark's most accomplished designers and was the first woman to design for Georg Jensen. She was born in Copenhagen and attended the Danish School of Arts, Crafts and Design and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1946. While still a student she began showing her work at the Cabinetmaker's Guild annual exhibits. She also met her first husband, Jorgen Ditzel at school and they began working and exhibiting together in 1944. She was trained in cabinet making; he in upholstery and they shared a design aesthetic based on creating comfortable, livable and simple environments. The Ditzels spent the first part of their career together, as did many post war designers in Denmark, trying to produce furniture that would expand, separate or serve a dual purpose in order to appropriately furnish a small apartment. Two of their innovative designs were a tea table with a top that lifted off to become a tray and a 1951 bed that tapered towards the foot to take up less space. In 1949, Ditzel designed the functional, but more decorative, curved "Two Seat Sofa" and a 1951 chaise lounge for Knud Willadsen. The Ditzel's cozy 1959 "Basket" chair, meant to be suspended from the ceiling, is the most famous example of their experiments working with wicker. They also designed a set of enamel kitchen utensils for the Ravnholm factory in the 1950's, and Nanna designed a series of jewelry that won a prize from the Goldsmith's Association in 1950. In 1954, they began to create designs for Georg Jensen. Jorgen died in 1961 but Ditzel kept their studio going and continued to work in a variety of media, designing among others, wooden furniture and silver jewelry. In 1962, Ditzel came out with the successful "Toadstool," which was a multi-purpose, stacking stool or table for children. Ditzel created many designs for Georg Jensen, mostly jewelry although she also created some hollowware. In recent years, Ditzel has focussed mainly on furniture design. Ditzel has won many major awards during her long career and has had her work exhibited all over the world. She received the silver and gold medals at the Milan Tirennale (1954 and 1960), the Lunning Prize (with Jorgen Ditzel in 1954) and a gold medal at the International Furniture Design Competition in 1990. From GEORG JENSEN HOLLOWWARE, THE SILVERFUND COLLECTION, David A. Taylor & Jason W. Laskey, 2003Click HERE to read about the Lunning Prize Click HERE to see items designed by Nanna Ditzel Click HERE to go to the list of designers for Georg Jensen |
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Last Updated: 08/09/09
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