Hans Hansen box

This rectangular decorative box, designed by Danish silversmith Hans Hansen in the 1950s, is crafted in richly grained rosewood with applied silver inlays. The box’s flat lid is adorned with a geometric grid of fifteen square silver inlays, each symmetrically embedded into the rosewood surface. The composition reflects the period’s modernist aesthetic, emphasizing material contrast and precision craftsmanship.

The rosewood is characterized by dark brown tones with deep, flowing grain patterns, contributing both visual richness and texture. The silver inlays provide a subtle, luminous contrast, offering a cooler tone that offsets the warmth of the wood. The box opens via a brass-toned rectangular pull at the front edge, mounted flush with the surface. The interior is fully lined with rosewood, and the lid is connected by a discreet metal hinge, allowing smooth operation.

Hans Hansen, active during the mid-twentieth century, is best known for his contributions to Danish modern silverwork. He established his workshop in Kolding, Denmark, in 1906, which later became an influential force in Scandinavian design under the stewardship of his son and successor, Bent Gabrielsen Hansen. While Hansen’s studio is widely recognized for its modernist jewelry and hollowware in sterling silver, occasional pieces in wood with silver elements, such as this box, reflect the studio’s broader interest in combining noble materials and functional form.

The box remains in good vintage condition, showing minor signs of use consistent with age, including faint scratches and patina on the silver inlays. It exemplifies Scandinavian mid-century craftsmanship, balancing refined materiality with minimalist geometry.

Dimensions are 22.5 cm wide, 15 cm deep, and 5 cm high, corresponding to approximately 8.86 inches wide, 5.91 inches deep, and 1.97 inches high.