A. J. Iversen
Encyclopedia
Andreas Jeppe Iversen, usually known as A.J. Iversen, (13 December 1888 - 17 December 1979) was a Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer. From the 1920s, his collaboration with architects and designers paved the way for the style which later became known as Danish modern
.
in the south of Jutland
, Iversen first worked as a fisherman like his father. In 1906, he became an apprentice in A. L. Johansen & Søn's furniture factory in Kolding. He then worked in various workshops both in Copenhagen and abroad, examining with interest the furniture he discovered in museums and castles. As a result of his evening classes with Frederik Poulsen and Rasmus Berg, he qualified as a cabinetmaker in 1916.
, earning himself an honorary award. From 1927, Iversen was a regular exhibitor at the Cabinetmakers Guild's annual furniture exhibitions in Copenhagen, for which he held the chairmanship from 1930–34. Above all, he exhibited furniture designed by Ole Wanscher
with whom he had a fruitful relationship for the rest of his life. He also made furniture for Viggo Boesen, Flemming
and Mogens Lassen
and for the Swedish designer, Torsten Johansson.
Iversen's simplified designs built on historical models while maintaining sensitivity and refinement. Always intent on pursuing the high quality norms of Danish cabinetmaking, he took advantage of the latest developments in production technology. One of the few Danish modern
cabinetmakers who both designed and manufactured his own furniture, he is remembered above all for realizing many of Ole Wanscher's finest pieces including his Ming Round Occasional Table. Other items of note include his T-Chair and Egyptian Stool. Commenting on the difficulty of entering the exhibition environment in the early days, Iversen explains: "The older cabinetmakers maintained a strong hand on existing practice. They looked on Functionalism's simple lines like the plague. These old masters had position and experience, you owed them your respect, their opinions held weight and most of our colleagues tended to be their faithful followers. On the other hand, we had the support of young designers and most of the critics."
and the Swedish Order of Vasa
.
Danish modern
Danish modern, frequently capitalized as Danish Modern, is a vintage style of minimalist wood furniture from Denmark associated with the Danish design movement...
.
Early life
Born in Sønder Bjert near KoldingKolding
Kolding is a Danish seaport located at the head of Kolding Fjord in Region of Southern Denmark . It is the site of the council Kolding Municipality. It is a transportation, commercial, and manufacturing centre, and has numerous industrial companies, principally geared towards shipbuilding...
in the south of Jutland
Jutland
Jutland , historically also called Cimbria, is the name of the peninsula that juts out in Northern Europe toward the rest of Scandinavia, forming the mainland part of Denmark. It has the North Sea to its west, Kattegat and Skagerrak to its north, the Baltic Sea to its east, and the Danish–German...
, Iversen first worked as a fisherman like his father. In 1906, he became an apprentice in A. L. Johansen & Søn's furniture factory in Kolding. He then worked in various workshops both in Copenhagen and abroad, examining with interest the furniture he discovered in museums and castles. As a result of his evening classes with Frederik Poulsen and Rasmus Berg, he qualified as a cabinetmaker in 1916.
Career
Although Iversen designed furniture himself, he soon began to collaborate with artists. At the Paris World Exhibition in 1925, he exhibited furniture designed by the architect Kaj GottlobKaj Gottlob
Niels August Theodor Kaj Gottlob, usually known as Kaj Gottlob, was a Danish architect who contributed much to Neoclassicism and Functionalism both as professor of the School of Architects at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and as a royal building inspector.-Early life:After qualifying from...
, earning himself an honorary award. From 1927, Iversen was a regular exhibitor at the Cabinetmakers Guild's annual furniture exhibitions in Copenhagen, for which he held the chairmanship from 1930–34. Above all, he exhibited furniture designed by Ole Wanscher
Ole Wanscher
Ole Wanscher was a Danish furniture designer. He was one of the leading figures in the Scandinavian Design movement , at a time when Scandinavian Design achieved worldwide popularity....
with whom he had a fruitful relationship for the rest of his life. He also made furniture for Viggo Boesen, Flemming
Flemming Lassen
Flemming Lassen was a Modernist Danish architect and designer, working within the idiom of the International Style. Among his most notable buildings are libraries and cultural centres. He was the brother of Mogens Lassen, also an architect.-Early life:Flemming Lassen was born on 23 February 1901...
and Mogens Lassen
Mogens Lassen
Mogens Lassen was a Modernist Danish architect and designer, working within the idiom of the International Style. He mainly designed residential buildings, both in the form of single-family houses and apartment blocks...
and for the Swedish designer, Torsten Johansson.
Iversen's simplified designs built on historical models while maintaining sensitivity and refinement. Always intent on pursuing the high quality norms of Danish cabinetmaking, he took advantage of the latest developments in production technology. One of the few Danish modern
Danish modern
Danish modern, frequently capitalized as Danish Modern, is a vintage style of minimalist wood furniture from Denmark associated with the Danish design movement...
cabinetmakers who both designed and manufactured his own furniture, he is remembered above all for realizing many of Ole Wanscher's finest pieces including his Ming Round Occasional Table. Other items of note include his T-Chair and Egyptian Stool. Commenting on the difficulty of entering the exhibition environment in the early days, Iversen explains: "The older cabinetmakers maintained a strong hand on existing practice. They looked on Functionalism's simple lines like the plague. These old masters had position and experience, you owed them your respect, their opinions held weight and most of our colleagues tended to be their faithful followers. On the other hand, we had the support of young designers and most of the critics."
Assessment
Iversen was an exceptionally fine cabinetmaker, devoted to his profession. He was alderman of the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers Guild from 1951 to 1961. In 1950, his son Gunnar Iversen became co-owner of his furniture factory. For his achievements, he was awarded both the Danish Order of the DannebrogOrder of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
and the Swedish Order of Vasa
Order of Vasa
The Royal Order of Vasa was a Swedish Royal order of chivalry, awarded to citizens of Sweden for service to state and society especially in the fields of agriculture, mining and commerce. It was instituted on 29 May 1772 by King Gustav III of Sweden...
.