Expressionism - Functionalism
(late 19th - early 20th centuries)

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Functionalism (architecture), was a movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that advocated that architecture should be stripped of all ornamentation so as to allow its structure to express its function or purpose. It was given impetus by Frank Lloyd Wright, who in 1901 originated the famous phrase "form follows function", and by Le Corbusier, who in 1927 stated that "a house is a machine for living". The style is also known from the Scandinavian countries, where it was named "Funkis", and particularly Danish Design from that period has become world famous.  In 1991 and 1997 Denmark issued two sets of 4 stamps, showing Danish Design from the period.  Danish Functionalism is an offshoot of the German Bauhaus Movement, yet much more longlived than Bauhaus.    

• Denmark 1991.  Scott # 941-944.  Danish household utensils and applied art.
  • Earthenware bowl and jars by the ceramist Christian Poulsen, *1911.
  • Chair by carpenter and architect Hans Wegner, *1914.  "The Chair", as this design was named internationally already in 1949, obtained world fame as President John F. Kennedy's preferred chair.  
  • Silver cutlery by Kay Boyesen (1886-1958).  Kay Boyesen had his vocational training in the workshop of the Danish silver smith Georg Jensen.  This silver cutlery was designed in 1938 and awarded the Grand Prix at the Triennial in Milan 1951.  The design is still popular in Denmark, and has been named the Danish National Cutlery. 
  • Lamp by architect Poul Henningsen (1894-1967).  Poul Henningsen was a multi-talented person, and manifested himself as architect, art critic, editor, playwright and much more.  However, his main concern throughout his artistic career was the technical and aesthetical problems within electric light.  He has designed a huge number of lamps, of which the first designs were awarded gold on the World Exhibition in Paris in 1925.  His specialty visible in all designs was the non-blinding, shade less light, yet maintaining most of the colours of the specter.  

Info from the Danish presentation pack of this set. 

• Denmark 1997:  Scott # 1082-1085.  Danish design from Functionalism.
  • Faaborg Chair, designed by the architect Kaare Klint (1888-1954).  The chair is still being produced.
  • Margrethe Bowl, (kitchen bowls), designed by the architects Sigvard Bernadotte and Acton Bjørn.  Please note that one of the designers (Sigvard Bernadotte) was the maternal uncle of the Danish Queen Margrethe II, hence the name of the brand. 
  • "The Ant" [The chair "Myren"], designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971).  The chair is still being produced. 
  • Georg Jensen Silver Bowl, designed by the Danish silver smith Georg Jensen (1866-1935).  The original bowl is on permanent display at the Louvre Museum, Paris.  Replica are still produced by Georg Jensen Silver Smith Company, Copenhagen, on special command.  

Info from the Danish presentation pack of this set.

Sources and links: 

• Information for both sets and FDC's taken from the respective Danish presentation packs. 
• Bauhaus Movement (German "sister movement") 

• De Stijl (Dutch "sister movement") 

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