Description:

Kay Bojesen (1886-1958), Danish designer.
Two wooden turtledoves. Hand-painted in black (one matte one glossy.
21st century.
Marked.
Perfect condition.
Dimensions: L 9.0 cm x H 9.0 cm.
Biography:
Kay Bojesen (1886–1958) was a Danish designer and silversmith, best known for his iconic wooden toys, which have become classics in Danish design history.
Originally trained as a silversmith under the renowned Georg Jensen, Bojesen began to take an interest in wood as a material during the 1930s. Inspired by his son and the contemporary educational ideas about toys, he started designing wooden figures and animals that were imaginative, sturdy, and simple – and most importantly, encouraged play and creativity in children.
His most famous work is the monkey from 1951, made of teak and limba wood. It has become a symbol of Danish design and is often given as a gift for christenings, confirmations, and weddings. Bojesen's figures – which also include the elephant, the bear, the guardsman, and the hippopotamus – are characterized by rounded, soft shapes and a friendly, lively expression.
Kay Bojesen worked from a philosophy that “the lines should smile,” and he aimed to create toys that could accompany a person throughout life – from childhood to adulthood.
Although he originally did not view his wooden animals as art, they are now exhibited in museums and are considered design icons.