Danish Modern Classic: The Krenit Bowl by Herbert Krenchel

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Danish Modern Classic: The Krenit Bowl by Herbert Krenchel
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This is an authentic vintage example of the iconic Krenit … Read more Danish Modern Classic: The Krenit Bowl by Herbert Krenchel
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This is an authentic vintage example of the iconic Krenit Bowl, a masterpiece of mid-century Danish design that perfectly fuses industrial material science with minimalist aesthetics.

• Design and Form: The bowl embodies pure Modernism. It features a simple, conical form with an extremely fine, sharp edge—the result of designer Herbert Krenchel’s quest for a "millimeter thin steel plate" look.

• Material and Finish: The bowl is constructed of enameled steel, showcasing a striking contrast that defines the piece:

o Exterior: Matte, deep black steel, providing a rough, sculptural quality.
o Interior: Smooth, glossy Robins-egg-Blue enamel, providing a vibrant, reflective color pop that revolutionized the use of enamel in high design.

• Rarity: The Krenit bowls were in original production only between 1953 and 1964. This piece represents an original production run, designed during the "Golden Era" of Danish Modernism.

• Mark: This bowl is unmarked, which is common for the original production runs of this design, though they were manufactured for Torben Ørskov & Co.

• Designer: Herbert Krenchel (Danish, b. 1922)
• Manufacturer: Torben Ørskov & Co.
• Design Date: 1953
• Production Date: circa 1950s–1960s (Original Production)
• Material: Enameled Steel
• Dimensions: 9 7/8 inches Diameter x5 3/4 inches High

Historical Context: Form, Function, and Material Science
The Krenit bowl is celebrated not just for its appearance but for its underlying story of engineering and design innovation.

A Scientist’s Design
Designed by Herbert Krenchel, a civil engineer and material scientist, the bowl was born from a fascination with materials rather than traditional art. Krenchel specifically chose enameled steel—a material typically relegated to inexpensive, utilitarian items like chamber pots—and employed a new technique that resulted in a perfectly smooth, evenly colored interior and a matte black exterior, transforming the humble material into an object of high quality and exclusivity.

A Modernist Icon
The bowl was an instant success upon its launch in 1953, winning a prestigious Gold Medal at the Milan Triennale of 1954. Its clean, simple lines fulfilled the demand for functional yet beautiful modernist kitchenware, perfectly aligning with the popularization of light, healthful meals like green salads in post-war Denmark. Approximately one million Krenit bowls were produced before manufacturing ceased in 1964, cementing its status as a highly sought-after classic of Danish Modern Design.

References
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York. The MoMA permanent collection holds examples of the Krenit Bowl, recognizing its contribution to industrial design (Object number 1307.2001.1-5).
• Normann Copenhagen / Dwell Magazine. Documentation on Herbert Krenchel, detailing his inspiration and the technical innovations behind the bowl's sharp rim and contrasting finishes.
• Sørensen, Aage, et al. Danish Design or Scandinavian Design reference books (for context on the "Golden Era" of Danish Modernism, 1950s-1960s).

(Ref: Ny10306-cux) See less