Holmegaard is one of Denmark’s oldest and most iconic glassmakers, known for its amazing craftsmanship and timeless designs. It all started back in 1825, thanks to Countess Henriette Danneskiold-Samsøe. Her husband, Count Christian Danneskiold-Samsøe, dreamed of starting a glass factory but, sadly, he passed away before it could happen. Henriette decided to continue his work, took the reins and turned his idea into reality.
Background
At first, the factory focused on making green glass bottles and other practical items using local sand, and peat cut from the nearby Holmegaard moors fuelled the local kilns. Over time, the factory grew into something much bigger, producing beautiful glassware like drinking glasses and decorative pieces.
Holmegaard Moors - Image courtesy of: https://www.sudseeland-mon.de
By the mid-20th century, Holmegaard started collaborating with some of Denmark's most renowned designers, cementing its reputation for Danish modernism and quality design. These partnerships helped shape the company's aesthetic and elevated its international appeal.
Key Designers
Per Lütken (1916–1998)
Lütken was a master glassmaker and worked with Holmegaard for over five decades. His work is known for its fluid, organic forms and elegant simplicity, hallmarks of Danish design. His signature pieces include the "Provence Bowl" (1955) and the "No. 5" series.
Provence Bowl
No. 5 series
His designs were often inspired by the natural flow of glass during the blowing process, giving them a timeless and tactile quality. Click the image to see our Per Lütken Mussel dish shown here.
As a fun fact, Per Lütken was a busy man, full of creative ideas. So much so that he created over 3,000 designs during his career, many of which are now collectors' items.
Jacob Bang (1899–1965)
I had the pleasure to meet a lovely new customer recently. After she'd shared her stories of growing up in Denmark as a child, she left me a message to thank me for the vintage Christmas postcard of the Tivoli Fair in Copenhagen I'd popped into her parcel. Then she dropped the bombshell that she'd bought the Sakura vase as she was a relative of Jacob Bang. It's these stories that inspire us to look out for interesting pieces as you never know the impact of the items you find. That was indeed a "wow" moment!
Jacob Bang was Holmegaard's first artistic director and is credited with steering the company towards decorative and functional glassware. His work emphasised everyday usability while maintaining artistic value, introducing the concept of “beautiful everyday glass” to Holmegaard.
Click the image to view Michael Bang's Cassiopeia Candlestick
Today, Holmegaard is part of the Rosendahl Design Group, that still creates high-quality glass products that maintain their historic charm and relevance in modern households. Their ranges cover all types of designs and prices, with collectors seeking the more vintage pieces.