Essential Design 
20 March 2025
Essential Design 
176

Kay Bojesen

Collection of seven animals

Kay Bojesen
Denmark, c. 1951
teak, lacquered wood, fruitwood, plastic largest: 6 h × 3⅝ w × 13 l in (15 × 9 × 33 cm) smallest: 6 h × 2¾ w × 5⅝ l in (15 × 7 × 14 cm)
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $2,032
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Collection is comprised of one dachshund, one hippo, one elephant, one monkey, one penguin, one zebra, and one horse. Decal manufacturer's label to underside of one example ‘Bojesen Denmark Copyright’. Branded manufacturer's mark to underside of three examples ‘Kay Bojesen Denmark Copyright’.

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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