A Collection of Silver and Jewellery with a Story to Tell
We are delighted to present a collection of silver and jewellery with personal ties to an important period in the history of Swedish silversmithing. The collection is associated with Carl-Erik Olsson (1922–2020), who spent 38 years working for the renowned silversmith and designer Wiwen Nilsson in Lund, Sweden.
Wiwen Nilsson (1897–1974) is regarded as one of Sweden’s most influential silversmiths and designers. With his austere aesthetic, geometric precision and distinctive modernist style, he secured a central place in Swedish applied arts history. His works remain highly regarded for their uncompromising design and exceptional craftsmanship.
Carl-Erik Olsson began working for Wiwen Nilsson in 1936, initially as a young errand boy, after a friend helped him secure the position. He went on to become an apprentice and eventually one of Wiwen Nilsson’s foremost silversmiths. During his 38 years in the workshop, he worked with a wide range of silver, from hollowware and decorative objects to jewellery. Following Wiwen Nilsson’s death in 1974, Carl-Erik continued his career with his close friend Albrechtsson in Lund, where he worked as a silversmith until his retirement.
The collection thus brings together silver and jewellery with a story of craftsmanship, professional dedication and a long-standing tradition of silversmithing in Lund. It offers an opportunity to acquire objects of both aesthetic merit and historical significance — pieces to appreciate, wear, use and cherish for generations to come.