Scandinavian Design 
29 May 2024
Scandinavian Design 
107

Kay Bojesen

Collection of six animals

Kay Bojesen
Denmark, c. 1951
teak, birch, oak, fruitwood, elm, plastic largest: 15 h × 13 w × 4¾ d in (38 × 33 × 12 cm) smallest: 7¼ h × 6 w × 2¼ d in (18 × 15 × 6 cm)
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $1,512
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Collection is comprised of one large monkey, four small monkeys and one elephant. Impressed manufacturer's mark to foot of elephant and one monkey 'Kay Bojesen Denmark Copyright'. Impressed mark to foot of one monkey 'Denmark'. Impressed mark to body of one monkey 'Copyright Zoo-Line'.

This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.

This item is subject to CITES regulations. Rago Wright LLC. cannot provide the required documentation needed for export out of the United States; therefore, this item is only eligible for domestic shipping.
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Kay and Erna Bojesen with a chimpanzee at the Copenhagen Zoo. Danske Designere: Kay Bojesen, Olsen, pg. 75

Lines Should Smile

Kay Bojesen and Danish Design

Danish silversmith and designer, Kay Bojesen (1886-1958) is best known for his wooden toys. He designed a variety of playful animal forms, but the most popular was the monkey which was produced in a variety of sizes. From American television to exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the monkey is renowned worldwide.

But Bojesen's contribution to design was not limited to the wood toys he made; he apprenticed with Georg Jensen, was artistic director for Bing and Grøndal and crafted bowls for Finn Juhl. Bojesen was also a founding member of Den Permanente, a gallery and retail shop dedicated to exhibiting the best of Danish design.

A Den Permanente advertisement. Danske Designere: Kay Bojesen, pg. 75
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