Bernhard Hertz

Bernhard Hertz
Born	1834 Copenhagen, Denmark
Died	1909
Occupation(s)	Goldsmith, craftsman, company founder
Known for	Founder of Bernhard Hertz Guldvarefabrik

Bernhard Hertz (1834–1909) was a Danish craftsman specializing in goldsmithing who established the silver manufacturing firm Bernhard Hertz Guldvarefabrik in Copenhagen. The building he once occupied at Store Kongensgade 23 gained protection status in Denmark's national registry of heritage buildings in 1989. His enterprise, Bernhard Hertz A/S, founded in 1858, was incorporated into Lund Copenhagen in 1985.

Early life and background

Hertz was born in Copenhagen to a prosperous Jewish family as the fourth child among nine siblings of Abraham Hertz (1799–1885) and Adelaide Meye (1804–1881). Abraham operated a tannery located at Rosenborggade 5, which later passed on to Bernhard's son Meyer Hertz, who managed it under the name Hertz Garveri & Skotøjsfabrik. On his mother's side, his grandfather was the merchant Jacob Salomon Meyer.

Career

After completing his apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 1858, Hertz created a graduation piece—an arm ring—that was purchased by Frederick VII for 300 Danish rigsdaler, subsequently presented to Countess Danner. This arm ring is currently exhibited at the Design Museum Denmark.

With the funds from this sale, Hertz inaugurated his own workshop in the same year. His focus was on contemporary jewellery designs incorporating floral themes and reproductions inspired by antiquity. During the early twentieth century, his company emerged as a prominent producer of Art Nouveau jewellery.

To expand his product range and market appeal, Hertz began manufacturing silver versions of popular gold jewellery and implemented mechanized techniques for rolling and frosting metal surfaces. In 1887, he constructed a multi-level factory situated within a courtyard on Store Kongensgade. Bernhard Hertz passed away in 1909.

Legacy

In 1985, Bernhard Hertz A/S became part of Lund Copenhagen.

The silver factory building on Store Kongensgade, which Hertz personally designed, was designated a protected structure by the Danish Heritage Agency in 1989. The adjoining older building facing the street, dating back to 1850 and designed by C.O. Aagaard, is also included within this heritage listing.

See also

• A. Michelsen
• P. Hertz

Further reading

• Historien om en guldarmring: noter om guldsmeden Bernhard Hertz og hans virksomhed i anledning af A/S Bernhard Hertz' 100 årsdag 26. april 1958 (1958)

External links

• Lund Copenhagen
• Store Kongensgade 23-23A at indenforvoldene.dk
• Source
• Source
• Source (villa)