Bent Knudsen1924 – 1997
Bent Knudsen was a significant figure in Danish modernist jewellery, known for his precise craftsmanship and a design language rooted in clarity, simplicity and thoughtful material use. Trained as a silversmith at C. M. Cohr in Fredericia, Knudsen continued his development at the renowned Hans Hansen workshop from 1946, a studio central to the evolution of Scandinavian silver design in the mid-twentieth century.
In 1956 he founded a workshop together with his wife Anni Knudsen, where the pair created jewellery characterised by clean, sculptural lines and an elegant restraint. Their pieces often incorporated cabochon stones such as hematite, malachite, topaz and amethyst, adding subtle depth and colour to the refined silver settings. The Knudsens’ work exemplifies the Danish modernist ideal that jewellery should be both wearable and artistically expressive.
The broader context of Danish design during this period shaped their practice. While the 1940s in Denmark were marked by experimental explorations of new materials, the 1950s brought a renewed focus on form and sculptural expression. Boundaries between artist and craftsman grew increasingly fluid, and jewellery became recognised as an independent art form. The Danish Jewellers’ Association strengthened this shift by organising annual competitions beginning in 1950, encouraging designers to pursue innovation and develop new aesthetic directions.
Today, Bent and Anni Knudsen’s jewellery is admired for its purity of form, its technical refinement and its place within the wider narrative of mid-century Scandinavian design.
