Theresia Hvorslev for Mema, Sweden 1974 Bold Sterling Water Lily Ring

In an online article, “A Passion for Nordic Nature,” B. Lennart Persson and Svein G. Josefsen write, “Theresia Hvorslev’s strong direct language of form is at its best a counterpart to the thoughtful, cool, elegant designs of Torun Bulow-Hube. Her jewelry points outward with sparks of vitality, and [simultaneously incorporates] graceful flowing lines. “
Upon graduation from the Konstfackskolan (University College of Arts & Crafts and Design) in Stockholm, Theresia apprenticed at Georg Jensen in Copenhagen and at Bernadotte & Bjørn, the design studio of Sigvard Bernadotte and the Danish architect, Acton Bjørn.
She was among the fortunate and talented students of the well-known goldsmith Sven-Arne Gillgren, who was chief designer at the Swedish company GAB (G Dahlgren & Co.) Consequently, Hvorslev became a jewelry designer and received several awards for her work. This helped cement her reputation among the most influential contemporary Swedish jewelers.
In 1964, she returned to Sweden and opened her own studio. It was during this time that she also began significant designer work for the companies Alton and Mema. Her early designs have been described as plain reflective surfaces and wing shaped forms that express the character of the metal. It’s also said that Theresia’s love of Nordic nature infuse her pieces with natural themes and that her attention to the surface of her chosen metal, plus a tendency towards abstraction make her a true modernist.
Hvorslev created a public sculpture for her hometown of Lidkøping, and designed cutlery for SAS, the Scandinavian Airline System. Among Theresia’s later projects are small silver sculptures made for the Swedish royal family In the 1970s. Hvorslev later began to introduce styles that, unlike her earlier finely measured, strict lines, became voluptuous shapes and vibrant manifestations.
In her career, Theresia Hvorslev has exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Moscow, Berlin, Zürich, London, and Paris in addition to several museums in Scandinavia. Her work is also represented in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York. She has been the recipient of three Diamonds International Awards.
Although revealed in various different shapes, Theresia says that the common thread through all of her work is her love for Nordic nature.”