Carl Poul Petersen trained under his father-in-law, Georg Jensen, and his aesthetic is readily identfiable as part of the Danish school of the early 20th century. He settled in Montreal and ran a thriving workshop where he made flatware, hollow ware and some jewellery. (He also designed hockey’s Conn Smythe Trophy, among other awards.)
Most of the Petersen jewellery I’ve seen depicts nature – buds, vines, and the like. I’ve never seen one with a figural/animal. I fell in love with the magpie pictured here, who is standing guard over a diamond ring. As a human magpie, who is always attracted to glittery things, this made me smile.
IntoTemptation.....jewellery musings 
Where did you hear Petersen was related to Jensen? While he did marry a woman named Jensen, there was no relation to the famous silversmith as far as I am aware. I frequently hear this on ebay listings, and I’m curious who “started it.”
L
It’s actually noted in several reputable places online (more than Ebay). However, it’s true that in the catalogue produced by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for their Petersen exhibit, it identifies his wife only as Inger Jensen. This catalogue included interviews with Petersen’s children so one would think that if there was a link to Georg, they would have so indicated. However, I haven’t found anything actually contradicting this so I’ve included it. Thanks for your comment!
Georg Jensen had 7 children by 4 wives (they unfortunately each died young), none of the children were named Inger. His children names were from oldest to youngest: Vidar, Jorgen, Vibeke, Lisa, Birgitte, Soren and Mette.
What is the value of this pin?
Also, I have a gorgeous large cuff bracelet that is signed Petersen Hand Made Sterling and is art nourveau in design. There appear to be initials PP on it also – does that make any sense?
Thank you!
LW
It’s hard to say – most of the Petersen pins I’ve seen have been the floral/foliate designs (and I have a couple I should photograph and post here). This could go for very little because it isn’t typical for him, or more, if there were interested buyers. I haven’t seen too much of his jewellery come up on Ebay. Pins typically go for $200 or so if they’re small to medium; I’ve seen very large foliate pins for as much as $700 at antiques shops.
I would be glad to send you a photo or two if you would send me your direct email address. It’s really quite beautiful. I have thought about listing it on Ebay, but haven’t decided yet. I do want to sell it I think. Not sure of value, but I think it’s probably fairly high. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
LW
You can contact me through my web site, and I’d be happy to have a look: http://intotemptation.com/contact_us.php?osCsid=78324a4f39b11ad6bf8de6379a530778
And the marks on your bracelet sounds consistent with Petersen marks. Would love to see photos!
I’ve taken some photos, but am unsure as to how to send them to a website. Do you have an email address I can send them to? thanks.
I replied to your email. If you didn’t receive that, let me know!
Hello from Canada,I had inherited a large collection of Petersen brooches (53+)from my wife’s grandmother in Montebello Quebec and have been collecting for over 24 years now .Please contact me if you are interested in selling as I will pay a substantial premium on any brooch I do not have in any condition .I intend on donating all the pins to the Montreal Museun of Fine Arts on my death as a tribute to Carl Petersen.
BEST WISHES TO ALL
Joseph
Hi:
In my mother’s estate I found a Petersen pin and matching earings.When I tried to research them, I found this site and your comment about being interested in buying pins etc that you do not have.
The pin that I have has the initials E.S.B. in sterling silver on a sterling silver back.
The matching earings have the initial B.in sterling silver and appear to be on a copper coloured back.
Are you interested in seeing pictures of these with the possibility of buying them?
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Terry
Actually, the marks you have mentioned don’t correspond to Petersen’s. Is it the design that makes you think it would be his work?
Hi: Thank you for your response.I think I have misled you with my description.
The back of the pin has the following markings:
PETERSEN
HAND MADE
STERLING with an impressed PP on the left side and another impressed marking on the right side
The back of the earings has the markings
PETERSEN
HAND MADE plus the PP on the left side.
On the front of the pin are the letters,in script form, EBS, and on the front of the earings the initial B in the same kind of script writing.
I would assume that the initials of the person for whom these were made was E.( first letter of her first name) S. ( first letter of her middle name) and B.(which would have been the first letter of her last name).I would assume that the person for whom these were made was either important and/or wealthy to have such a famous jeweller make these specifically for her.
I would very much appreciate any information that you might have on this jewellery.
Sincerely,
Terry
I have seen initialled items before (pins, a money clip) and honestly, anything with an initial, unless on a very unique or rare item, is actually less desirable to most collectors. With goblets, initials can be removed by a skilled silversmith. On a piece of jewelry such as yours, where the initials are the design, a potential buyer would either have to want it just for the design itself, potentially have the same initials, or just not care. As I believe Petersen did quite a lot of custom work, buyers of this kind of piece did not necessarily have to be wealthy or special customers. Hope this has answered your question.
Would like to see a photo of this pin and matching earrings, if you still have them and are interested in selling.
Thanks,
C. Garson
I don’t have earrings for this, alas. Would love to know if they were made, though.
hi Joseph,
after some unrelated research, i recognized that a sterling brooch which had been my mother’s was similar to a george jensen design. further investigation indicates it is a carl petersen. a reversal of a jensen design, or perhaps jensen used a petersen design? a magpie? how can i send photo?
The Petersen Magpie ring brooch sells for about $350 US in good condition.There is also a rare Magpie Brooch that includes a blue moon stone that sells for $475.00.
best wishes -Joseph
Thanks, that’s great information! I’ve put up pix of the only other two Petersen jewellery items I have. I don’t think these are all that uncommon.
Hello Terry,I would appreciate being sent a photo of the pin and earings with initials.Tks for your time.
Joseph