Hans Christensen drawings circa 1967

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Hans Christensen drawings circa 1967

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/758395885

The Hans Christensen drawings consist of six pencil drawings of Christensen's silverwork designs. The first five drawings (17" x 12") depict a spice box and are accompanied by the following description: "Spicebox designed as a symbol of separating the holy from the profane, Israel from the heathen, and sabbath from the six working days. It marks the end of the sabbath rest, it also marks the beginning of a new week of labor. Designed both to divine the future and to forefend evil." The last drawing (11" x 28") is of a ceremonial mace that was made in honor of Mark Ellingson, president of the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1936-1969. The item was presented to Ellingson in 1967 in honor of his 30th anniversary as president and was commissioned by the Board of Trustees. According to the Summer 1967 RIT Reporter, the mace was to be "prominently displayed in all assemblies and convocations, and carried at the head of all formal processions signifying the authority, purpose, stability and continuity of the Institute's activities." The mace was made of sterling silver and contained two hemispheres encircled by a band. Harold James Brennan, a former Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts described the mace in a letter. Brennan explained, "The symbolism of the mace involves an ornamental device of two hemispheres with an encircling band of silver - a world divided and unified by education." Currently, the mace is part of the RIT Art Collection. Pencil drawings of designs created by Hans Christensen, the renowned silversmith and Rochester Institute of Technology professor. Five of the drawings are of a spice box, while one is of a ceremonial mace presented to Mark Ellingson.

2.38 linear feet (1 flat file drawer)

RIT Library, Wallace Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 8145070

RIT Library, Wallace Library

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Christensen, Hans (Danish metalworker and craftsman, 1924-1983)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x65r25 (person)

Hans Jorgen Thorvald Christensen (1924-1983) was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 21, 1924. An aspiring artist, Christensen was exposed to the world of art from a young age. His father, Holger, was an accountant with clients involved in the fields of art and architecture, while his mother, Valborg (née Makkenbol) also expressed interest in the field. Although Holger wanted his son to enter the business world, he supported his son's interest in the art field, pushing him toward a career in...

School for American Craftsmen

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6m95kf8 (corporateBody)

Ellingson, Mark, 1904-1993.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6ps7gcb (person)

Rochester institute of technology

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x968d8 (corporateBody)

It is unclear when the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) first admitted minority students. However, it appears as though the first African American students entered the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (renamed RIT in 1944) during the early 1900s. For instance, in 1906 Fredericka Sprague, the granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, took classes at the Institute. There are several other instances of African American students attending the school during the early 20th century as well...