In 1959, Uni David-Andersen, the great granddaughter
of the founder of the David-Andersen company in Oslo, Norway, started
up a small workshop of her own. Together with other female designers such
as Unn Tangerud and Marianne Berg, Uni experimented with new tecnics and
free sculptural styles for jewelry production. The results were both unique
pieces, as well as models for larger scale production at David-Andersen.
Later on the designers Liv Solnør Rogan and Solfrid Simensen joined
the team.
Coming from the renouned David-Andersen family, Uni started early in
the field of jewelry production. After the education at Central School
of Arts and Crafts, London, 1948, she had an internship at Adda Hustedt-Andersen,
New York, 1950-51, and at David-Andersen, Oslo, 1951-52. In 1953 Uni worked
with Georg Jensen, New York, and 1954-55 she took up studies at The National
College of Art and Design (NCAD), Oslo.
When in 1964 David-Andersen launched a new collection of cast silver
jewelry called the Troll Series, some of the more popular pieces were
brooches and pendants designed in Uni's workshop, named 'Unn's Sun Chariot',
designed by Unn Tangerud and 'Mariannes Hart' by Marianne Berg. This collection
of cast jewelry is characterized by a new sense of simplicity, and the
use of stones found in Norway, such as the green/tourqise Amazonite and
red/pink Thulite. A prominent point in the creation of the collection
was the increased emphasis on the artistic value of the pieces themselves,
rather than on the economic value of the materials used.
Uni's jewelry from the sixties are progressive pieces in the tradisjon
of Scandinavian Modern Design. In a unique way she combines enamel and
stones, rock chrystals over monochrome enamel, and experiments with different
structure and surface in the enamel. Also caracteristic for Uni are her
bold rings with stones in geometric designs.
Although it is the earlier pieces that are the most well known, the
workshop was up and running non stop until 2001 when it was closed down
at the end of the year.
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Pendant 'Uni's magical mirror',
silver with enamel and Rock Crystal, 1964.
Brooch,
silver with enamel, 1963.
Ring from Uni's Lucky Charm Rings Series,
silver with Tigers Eye, 1967.
Brooch from the Troll Series,
silver with enamel, 1966.
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