‎Silver coffee sets, or services, have been part of the urban lifestyle for many decades now. Much like tea, coffee has been offered as a “social meal”, as a fixed part of social interactions. This sterling silver set from 1958 is exemplary of Scandinavian modern design, and as such, is a timeless design.

The three pieces comprising this set include a tall coffee pot with a wood handle, a sugar bowl, and a creamer. The set is perfectly balanced aesthetically as the pot and sugar bowl both feature a silver finial with a ring on top, while the creamer follows the shape of the pot. The design clearly shows the ideals of modernist Swedish design: characterized by a minimal, clean approach that seeks to combine functionality with beauty, this set’s focus is on simple lines devoid of clutter. Furthermore, the combination of wood and silver gives the pieces an unmistakeably Scandinavian look. The set shows why Carl Gustaf Jahnsson and his eponymous company, C. G. Hallberg Jahnsson, were considered among the leading goldsmiths and jewellers, creating pieces for the Swedish Court. Their metal- and silverware is still sought after today. Matching hallmarks can be found on each piece, even on the lid of the sugar bowl indicating the sterling silver’s purity and the manufacturer.

The so-called Golden Age of Scandinavian design spanned from the 1930s to the 1970s, producing many of the designs now regarded as the ‘classics’ of the Scandinavian Modern aesthetic. This three-piece set belongs to this group of design, timeless thanks to its aesthetic and materials of the highest quality.

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SOLD

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‎Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The silver has beautiful patina.

Dimensions:

Coffee pot:

5.9 in W x 3.93 in D x 10.43 in H

15 cm W x 10 cm D x 26.5 cm H

Creamer:

3.34 in W x 2.55 in D x 4.33 in H

8.5 cm W x 6.5 cm D x 11 cm H

Sugar bowl:

3.34 in W x 3.34 in D x 3.74 in H

8.5 cm W x 8.5 cm D x 9.5 cm H

About the designer:

Carl-Gustaf Hallberg Jahnsson, born July 29, 1935 in Engelbrekt parish, Stockholm, died October 21, 1994 in Adolf Fredrik parish, Stockholm, was a Swedish silversmith and designer.
Jansson studied for Sigurd Persson 1952-1957 and in Vienna 1957-1958 and in France 1962-1963. He established his own silver workshop in 1963. For Hornsberg Church he made a communion chalice in silver and for the cathedral in Linköping he created the sculpture The Tree of Life. As a designer, he was hired by Ikea, among others, where he designed the cutlery series Dragon and the service Rondo.

His company, C.G. Hallberg was a prominent Swedish goldsmiths and jewellers, jeweller to the Swedish Court. Its central store was located at Drottninggatan 6 in Stockholm.It is best known for its silverware and metalware which continue to fetch high prices in auctions today. In the early 20th century it was the largest jewellers in Scandinavia and one of Sweden's top firms; by 1961 it was still the largest jewellers in Sweden with 31 domestic shops and a global export network.Jean Jahnsson was president from 1896. It merged with GAB in 1961.

He further participated in several arts and crafts exhibitions. He is represented at the National Museum, the Post Museum, the Design Archive, the Norrköping Art Museum, the Röhsska Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum.