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Overview
Danish born Jens Hansen was known for his sleek modernist jewellery but domestic commissions like this set of silver goblets, helped to expand his practice into holloware.
Jens Hansen (1940-1999) holds an important place in the history of craft in late 20th century New Zealand. One of a few practising craft jewellers during the 1960s and 70s, Jens Hansen influenced the following generation, working with gold and silver informed by modernism of his homeland Denmark.
Arriving in New Zealand in 1952, Jensen returned to Denmark during the 1960s and again in the 1970s for further studies. Jewellery and hollow-ware were all highly executed; technical perfection and an interest in sculpture were both important aspects of his work. As he developed his practice in Nelson, he recognised the importance of educating the next generation by creating an open door workshop policy. For vessel making it was Hansen's pupil Peter Woods who absorbed his teaching continuing the craft of hollowware in Auckland during the 1980s and 90s.