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Norwegian design and craftsmanship at its finest
Visit Arven Sandbrogaten 11
Instagram: @arven_gold_silver Facebook.com/Arven www.arven.no
Norwegian design and craftsmanship at its finest
The gold and silver factory Arven is located behind Bryggen, and has produced beautiful silverware, home interior pieces and jewelry for over 150 years. Arven combines traditional handcraft with new ideas and innovation. They also collaborate with Norwegian and international designers, which has earned global acknowledgement.
In 1868 silversmith Theodor Olsen returned to Bergen rich in experiences and knowledge from his trips abroad. He established his own workshop of silver goods and became a pioneer within the booming silversmithing industry in Bergen. Today, the factory and shop is called “Arven” and is run by Lilli- Anne Alver and Ole Bjørn Gjerde.
Arven carries the legacy of great craftsmen and designers.
This shop is not a conventional shop – the owners of Arven have created a space where customers not only can see and buy pieces, but also watch how they are made. The premises are divided in two by a large glass wall, with the shop and showroom on one side and the factory on the other. This allows customers to get a unique insight into the making of the different products, and allows them to talk and collaborate with the craftspeople first hand.
– The most important thing for us is that our customers get a closer look at the production and and a better understanding of our cultural heritage. We still use some of the same equipment used by our silversmiths over a hundred years ago. We have a great passion for everything we do, and I think the customers really appreciate that about us, Lilli-Anne says.
Every single piece at Arven is made by hand.
DESIGN COLLABORATIONS
Every single piece at Arven is made by hand. The gold- and silversmiths can make anything, customizing your every wish or need.
High quality in every step of the production is very important to us, and something we take great pride in
Arven is the only factory in Norway that provides both gold- and silverware on a large scale. You can find their products in over 400 shops in Norway. A selection of products are also available from retailers around the world.
Arven’s pieces are sold in over 400 shops in Norway, and from dealers worldwide.
Today, Arven continues to develop through designer collaborations, still preserving traditional techniques and classic designs. Arven has collaborated with designers such as Guglielmo Poletti, Vera & Kyte, Andreas Engesvik, Lars Beller Fjetland and Lars Tornøe.
Pinch salt and pepper bowl, designed by Lars Tornøe
Monstera serving cutlery, designed by Lars Beller Fjetland.
Last summer, Arven announced an exciting design collaboration with the king of tropical house music; Kygo. They also participated in the Wallpaper* Magazine Handmade Exhibition during the design week in Milan 2019.
Arven’s design collaboration with Kygo.
– High quality in every step of the production is very important to us, and something we take great pride in. ▗
USE YOUR SILVERWARE EVERY DAY
Silver is a precious metal which is lovely in all its variations – whether you prefer a highly polished shine or a more rustic patina. Wash your silverware in the dishwasher, Arven recommends Sun washing detergent.
