Silversmith and designer Kay Bojesen became world-famous for creating wooden toys that had a soul and an impish sense of humor. With more than 2000 pieces to his name, he was one of Denmark's most prolific artisans in the 20th century. He is best known for his playful and cheerful monkeys, royal lifeguards and other wooden toys, but his repertoire of products also includes jewelry, cutlery, teapots and silver goblets. Kay Bojesen graduated as a silversmith in 1910 after completing his apprenticeship with silversmith Georg Jensen. As one of the first Danish artisans to do so, he embraced functionalism. He was among the pioneers who organized Den Permanente association – a cooperative of artists that included a shop and exhibition space, which over the decades came to represent the best in Danish and Scandinavian design. The year 1919 became the start of a New Era for Kay Bojesen. His son Otto was born and this life event sparked Kay Bojesen's imagination. In the 1930s, he started to indulge his interest in wood. He created a range of wooden toys that all lived up to his ideal that design should be round, soft and have a good feel to it. His idea was not to create lifelike copies of real animals or to be too sophisticated or focus too much on detail, but instead to create imaginative toys in designs based on a child's world where “lines need to smile”. With this basic philosophy in mind, Kay Bojesen created his beloved wooden toys that appeal to the child within us all. Kay Bojesen retained his childish curiosity till the end and left an important design heritage behind.
Kay Bojesen Black Hippo Sculpture in Beech Wood, Scandinavian Design
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
Kay Bojesen’s many figures are popular with children and adults alike, and this one is no exception. The hippo was originally designed in 1955 to look after the designer’s pencil on ...
Wood
Kay Bojesen Oak Hippo Sculpture, Scandinavian Modern Design, Vietnam
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
The Hippo was born in 1955 as a fun desktop item for managing pencils. Kay Bojesen's imaginative family of wooden toys has a very special appeal for both children and adults. For chr...
Wood
Kay Bojesen Mini Elephant Sculpture in Oak Wood, Scandinavian Design
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
The Kay Bojesen Elephant was born in 1953. Kay Bojesen's imaginative family of wooden animals appeals to children and adults alike. For a christen...
Wood
Kay Bojesen Small Oak Elephant Sculpture - Scandinavian Design
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
The Elephant was born in 1953. Kay Bojesen's imaginative family of wooden toys has a very special appeal for both children and adults. For christenings, birthdays, school leavers, an...
Wood
Kay Bojesen Large Elephant Sculpture in FSC Oak - Scandinavian Design
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
A loving hug on a large scale. With its characteristic long trunk and friendly, attentive eyes, the Elephant is a beloved character from Kay Bojesen’s universe of wooden figurines – a style icon and an undisputed heavyweight in . And the love for the Elephant and Kay Bojesen’s original stories made of wood grows even bigger in this large version made of FSC® certified oak, where its charming and playful expression in the classic soft and round lines invites you to a giant hug of true love. In large size, Kay Bojesen’s Elephant...
Wood
Kay Bojesen Small Dark Oak Dog Sculpture, Scandinavian Modern Design
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
With its modern and minimalist look, it’s hard to believe that Bojesen's Dog 'Pind' turns 90 in 2024. First crafted in 1934, Pind was one of the very first animals that Kay Bojesen ...
Wood
Kaj Bojesen Wooden Hippopotamus in Oak, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
A decorative Danish design figure by Kaj Bojesen. This iconic hippopotamus is crafted in solid oak and features the characteristic playful expression that defines Bojesen’s beloved w...
Oak
Bronze Limited Edition Hippopotamus Sculpture by Loet Vanderveen
By Loet Vanderveen
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition bronze hippopotamus sculpture by Loet Vanderveen, circa 1990s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with a wonderful patina and measures 10.5"W x 4.5"D x 5"H ...
Bronze
Leather Hippo by Deru
By Deru
Located in Chicago, IL
Leather Hippo by Deru, A Hippo handcrafted from a pinched and riveted piece of leather. Stamped Deru Germany.
Leather
Vintage Danish 1950s Kay Bojesen Hippo Wooden Oak Desk Pencil Holder Figurine
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen designed the Hippopotamus in 1955 because he needed a device to store his pencil's. The hippo is made of oak and features an adjustable jaw allowing yo...
Oak
Solid Teak Carved Hippopotamus Sculpture c.1960
Located in London, GB
A particularly nice example of a solid teak carved Hippopotamus sculpture C.1960. In excellent vintage condition commensurate of age.
Teak
Patinated Bronze Hippopotamus Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A striking patinated bronze hippopotamus sculpture from the 1980s, featuring a beautifully aged surface that enhances its sculptural presence. The piece captures the essence of this ...
Bronze
