Laurids Lønborg bottle holders

This pair of bottle holders, designed by Laurids Lønborg and produced in Denmark during the 1960s, represents a distinctive blend of modernist functionality and handcrafted detail. Executed in wrought iron rod and handwoven cane, the design illustrates the Danish mid-century approach to everyday objects—elevating utilitarian form through careful material choice and subtle sculptural expression.

Each holder is formed from a continuous loop of blackened iron, bent into a cradle that supports the base of a wine or beverage bottle. The structure rises into an arched handle, terminating in a circular grip detail at the top. This open ring provides both visual balance and a secure handhold, emphasizing the piece’s functional clarity. Key portions of the handle and lower cradle are wrapped in natural cane, tightly woven for durability and comfort. The cane introduces a warm, organic element that contrasts with the cool, industrial surface of the iron, creating a balance between the tactile and the structural.

The design is minimal yet expressive, employing gentle curves and a lightweight silhouette that gives the holders a sense of visual ease. The use of open negative space and a restrained material palette is typical of Laurids Lønborg’s output, which often straddled the line between modernist design and folk craftsmanship.

Laurids Lønborg operated a well-known design studio in Denmark from the mid-1950s through the 1970s, producing a wide range of decorative and household items in collaboration with a variety of craftspeople. Known especially for his enamelware and rattan-wrapped accessories, Lønborg’s pieces often exhibit playful form, high-quality execution, and a sensitivity to everyday use.

The condition of the bottle holders is very good, with minor surface wear to the iron and a soft patina developing on the cane from age and use. The woven sections are intact, tightly bound, and structurally stable, retaining their original tone and texture.

Each holder measures 22 cm in width, 9 cm in depth, and 19 cm in height (approximately 8.7 × 3.5 × 7.5 inches). As a pair, these bottle holders function both as practical serving accessories and as representative objects of Danish mid-century design, marked by their thoughtful balance of geometry, material, and craftsmanship.