Te Papa logo

Museum of New Zealand

Te Papa Tongarewa

International visitor tickets

Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

Search tipsDownload tips

Krenit bowls

Object | Part of History collection

CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 8
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; view 1
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; view 2
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 1
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 2
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 6
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 7
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 3
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 4
CG001945/1-8; "Krenit" bowls; 1953; Torben Orskov & Co. A/S ; detail 5

This image has a rights statement of CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

item details

NameKrenit bowls
ProductionTorben Orskov & Co. A/S; manufacturer(s); 1953-66; Denmark
Herbert Krenchel; designer; 1953; Denmark
Classificationbowls, metalware
Materialssteel, enamel
Materials Summaryenamelled steel
Techniquespressing
DimensionsOverall: 249mm (width), 140mm (height), 249mm (depth)
Registration NumberCG001945/1-8
Credit lineWalter C Cook Decorative Art Collection, Gift of Walter Cook, 1992

Overview

Walter Cook recognised these colourful, functional ‘Krenit’ bowls as fine examples of modernism from the mid 20th century. Each was stamped out by a machine press from very thin steel – an innovative manufacturing technique at the time.

By the 1950s, the machine had been fully embraced as a means of production. This would not have pleased Walter’s hero, William Morris (1834–96), whose desire had been to uphold the handmade.

‘Krenit’ bowls received a gold medal at the 1954 Milan Triennial Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Architecture in Italy. They continue to be made today, their design being described as ‘a contemporary classic, which enables a perfect interplay between function and aestheticism’.