David-Andersen enamel leaf brooch, Norway c 1950-60s

Leaf shaped brooch in golden yellow guilloche enamel on silver gilt designed by Willy Winnaess for Norwegian silversmiths David-Andersen.

The brooch is in excellent vintage condition. The enamel has no damage or losses. The pin is slightly bent but is secure. The brooch is marked with the Norwegian standard D-A Norway Sterling and the mark for Willy Winnaess.

David Andersen (1843-1901) was the founder of Norway’s best-known jewellers the 19th century. In 1876, Andersen opened his own workshop in Christiania (now Oslo). The company became internationally famous for its enamel jewellery in the first half of the 20th Century and went on to export most of its production. Willy Winnaess was an early designer of the enamelled jewellery, often inspired by nature.

In the 1950s the David-Andersen company began working with innovative designers of modernist silver jewellery. These very popular and stylish pieces are marked with the initials of the designer, preceded by INV (inventor). These include Bjørn Sigurd Østern, Harry Sørby, Marianne Berg, Unn Tangerud, Ben David-Andersen and Uni David Andersen, the fourth generation of David-Andersen who established her own workshop in 1959 while continuing to design for the family company.

The David-Andersen company is still family-owned and producing high-quality silver items, often with enamel work.

Willy Winnaes (1911 - 2002) worked for J. Tostrup and later for David-Andersen producing jewellery with leaf and floral designs as well as modernist pieces. He had his own workshop from 1941-78.