The timelessness of today's George Jensen pays tribute to the iconoclastic Danish silversmith-sculptor who turned silver into gold nearly a century ago.

"Silver is the best material we have; gold is precious in value but not in effect", said Georg Jensen, acclaimed as the greatest silversmith of his time, on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. "The character of silver is satisfactorily lustre - something of the light of a Danish summer night. Silver can seem like twilight, or when it dews over, like ground mist rising..."

In the half century that has spaced since Georg Jensen's death, his silver-smithery has not lost the romanticism of his masterful touch, nor has it lost its highly Danish character. Today, in the most exclusive streets of Berlin, Paris, London, New York, and Sydney, the Georg Jensen shops continue their tradition as purveyors of exquisite jewellery and tableware. Superbly designed in the medium that has been treasured for its beauty since the time of the ancient Egyptians.

Andreas, who started his apprenticeship under the master himself and is now Head Designer at the Georg Jensen silversmithy in Copenhagen, is one of those who ensure that the contemporary designs live up to the traditional standards. "My responsibility is to ensure that the new things we make are just as good; as fine and artistic as the old ones because it is one long line of continuation. You can build up a reputation over 40 years and ruin it in three".