Mid-Century Modern Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Button or Cufflink Component
Jewelry (Button, Cufflink, or Stud component) · Georg Jensen (Denmark), founded in 1904. Jensen is one of the world's most renowned silversmiths, famous for elevating everyday objects to fine art with a focus on organic and modernist design.
Pattern: Modernist Geometric Series, often associated with designers like Henning Koppel or Nanna Ditzel, though the specific pattern number is obscured. These stepped, architectural designs were popular mid-century.
Type
Jewelry (Button, Cufflink, or Stud component)
Maker
Georg Jensen (Denmark), founded in 1904. Jensen is one of the world's most renowned silversmiths, famous for elevating everyday objects to fine art with a focus on organic and modernist design.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Consists of solid silver layers with high-polish finishing. No base metal is present in this high-end artisan piece.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter: 18mm to 22mm. Estimated weight: 6-10 grams. The profile shows a substantial thickness compared to standard flat buttons.
Description
This piece represents the height of Scandinavian design, featuring a series of concentric, tiered silver discs that create a striking play of light and shadow. Its substantial profile and flawless mirror finish are hallmarks of Georg Jensen’s commitment to quality. It is a refined example of how industrial minimalism can be translated into luxury personal adornment.
Key Features
Tiered 'stepped pyramid' profile, high-luster mirror finish, and substantial silver weight for its size.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Consists of solid silver layers with high-polish finishing. No base metal is present in this high-end artisan piece.
Finish & Decoration
High-mirror polish with a tiered, stepped geometric form. The decoration is purely architectural and minimalist, reflecting the 'form follows function' ethos of Scandinavian Modernism.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Marks are likely located on the flat reverse side (obscured in profile). Expected marks include '925 S', 'Denmark', and the Georg Jensen dotted oval logo (used since 1945).
Construction Details
Precision cast followed by intensive hand-finishing and polishing. The tiered levels are indicative of high-quality lathe-turning or precisely machined molds consistent with mid-20th-century Jensen production.
Functional Features
Features a central raised boss on the reverse for attachment, likely intended to be part of a toggle cufflink set or a luxury blazer button.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable; however, the smooth edges are designed for ease of use through a buttonhole or as a tactile jewelry element.
Craftsmanship Details
Evidence of superior hand-polishing is visible in the lack of 'orange peel' texture on the flat surfaces. The edges are perfectly concentric, indicating master-level finishing.
Authentication Indicators
The thickness of the silver and the precision of the stepped edges are difficult to replicate in cheap cast forages. The tone of the silver suggests high-purity sterling consistent with Danish standards.
Origin & Manufacturing
Copenhagen, Denmark. Manufactured in the Georg Jensen Silversmithy, known for maintaining the highest standards of hand-crafted quality.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1950-1970). The clean, tiered aesthetic is an indicator of the post-war transition toward architectural minimalism in silver design.
Age Estimate
Circa 1955-1965 based on the stepped profile design and production techniques typical of Jensen's most prolific modernist period.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of post-war sophistication and the global influence of Danish Modernism, moving away from the ornate Victorian styles toward a cleaner, progressive future.
Condition Notes
Excellent condition. Surface shows very minor micro-scratches consistent with light handling. No deep dings or structural deformation. Very light tarnish in the crevices of the tiers. Grade: Excellent.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD depending on whether it is a single replacement button or part of a signed jewelry set (e.g., cufflinks).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft microfiber cloth. If tarnish appears in the tiers, use a liquid silver foam rather than a dip to prevent stripping the metal's natural depth. Store in a tarnish-resistant pouch.
Similar Pieces
Similar to works by Hans Hansen or Tiffany & Co. modernist lines, but Jensen is distinguished by the specific rounded softness of the edge finishing and specific hallmark sets.
Interesting Facts
Georg Jensen designers were often given creative freedom, leading to pieces that functioned as 'wearable sculpture'. Modernist Jensen pieces have seen a significant resurgence in value over the last decade.