Mid-Century modern scandinavian figurine "optimist" by Hans Bølling

Hans Bølling

Born in 1931 in a small town of Braband in Denmark, Hans Bølling attended an Art- and Handcraft School originally to become an advertising designer, however some years later he followed his passion for architecture and graduated as an architect from the Royal Danish Art Academy. He designed a plethora of art works, ranging from dolls and furniture to villas, living complexes and town halls. The Duck came to life in the 1950s during the Bølling’s younger years, following the architect’s designs of flowers and weeds from the Botanical Garden. Here he decided to create small figures of ballerinas, trolls and musicians for his loved ones. Later, after winning an award he received a carpentry machine, which gave him the opportunity to carve his beloved figures from wood. It is at this point during the Danish spring that the Duck, and later its offspring – the Duckling, were born.