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Kay Bojesen Barware

Danish, 1886-1958

Silversmith and designer Kay Bojesen became world-famous for creating wooden toys that had a soul and an impish sense of humor. With more than 2000 pieces to his name, he was one of Denmark's most prolific artisans in the 20th century. He is best known for his playful and cheerful monkeys, royal lifeguards and other wooden toys, but his repertoire of products also includes jewelry, cutlery, teapots and silver goblets. Kay Bojesen graduated as a silversmith in 1910 after completing his apprenticeship with silversmith Georg Jensen. As one of the first Danish artisans to do so, he embraced functionalism. He was among the pioneers who organized Den Permanente association – a cooperative of artists that included a shop and exhibition space, which over the decades came to represent the best in Danish and Scandinavian design. The year 1919 became the start of a New Era for Kay Bojesen. His son Otto was born and this life event sparked Kay Bojesen's imagination. In the 1930s, he started to indulge his interest in wood. He created a range of wooden toys that all lived up to his ideal that design should be round, soft and have a good feel to it. His idea was not to create lifelike copies of real animals or to be too sophisticated or focus too much on detail, but instead to create imaginative toys in designs based on a child's world where “lines need to smile”. With this basic philosophy in mind, Kay Bojesen created his beloved wooden toys that appeal to the child within us all. Kay Bojesen retained his childish curiosity till the end and left an important design heritage behind.

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Creator: Kay Bojesen
Midcentury Serving Tray in Solid Teak by Kay Bojesen, 1950s
Midcentury Serving Tray in Solid Teak by Kay Bojesen, 1950s

Midcentury Serving Tray in Solid Teak by Kay Bojesen, 1950s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

Serving tray in solid teak, designed by and made by Kay Bojesen. Great original condition.

Category

1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Barware

Materials

Teak

Vintage Primeminister Stauning Beech Nutcracker Kay Bojesen, 1930s
Vintage Primeminister Stauning Beech Nutcracker Kay Bojesen, 1930s

Vintage Primeminister Stauning Beech Nutcracker Kay Bojesen, 1930s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A rare Hand-finished beech nutcracker designed and made by Kay Bojesen during the early to mid 1930s. Great original patina and humorous/cartoon'ish details like the neck rolls, circ...

Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Barware

Materials

Beech

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Previously Available Items
Midcentury Serving Tray in Solid Teak by Kay Bojesen, 1950s
Midcentury Serving Tray in Solid Teak by Kay Bojesen, 1950s

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Located in Lejre, DK

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1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Barware

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Teak

Vintage Kay Bojensen Rosewood Corkscrew Wine Opener, 1950s
Vintage Kay Bojensen Rosewood Corkscrew Wine Opener, 1950s

Vintage Kay Bojensen Rosewood Corkscrew Wine Opener, 1950s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Very rare wine opener designed by Kay Bojesen and manufactured by USC (United Steel Company) in Copenhagen, Denmark in the early 1950s. Measurements: W: 11...

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1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Barware

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Sculptural Brass Corkscrew by Kay Bojesen for Einar Dragsted, 1920s
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Vintage Danish Monkey Corkscrew in Brass, Kay Bojesen for Einar Dragsted, 1920s
Vintage Danish Monkey Corkscrew in Brass, Kay Bojesen for Einar Dragsted, 1920s

Vintage Danish Monkey Corkscrew in Brass, Kay Bojesen for Einar Dragsted, 1920s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

This brass and steel corkscrew was designed by Kay Bojesen in the early 1920s and manufactured by Einar Dragsted in Copenhagen. The top of the corkscrew almost resembles a crucified ...

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Brass, Steel

Kay Bojesen barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Kay Bojesen barware are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kay Bojesen barware, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original barware by Kay Bojesen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider barware by Richard Nissen, Erik Höglund, and Skultuna. Prices for Kay Bojesen barware can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $313 and can go as high as $1,501, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $984.

Creators Similar to Kay Bojesen

Questions About Kay Bojesen Barware
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Kay Bojesen wooden toys and figures are made in Denmark, and have been since 1930. The founding designer Kay Bojesen was born in Copenhagen in 1886, and the company Kay Bojesen was sold in 1990 to the design house Rosendahl, which is also based in Denmark. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Kay Bojesen figurines.