Important Silversmiths - Jacob Tostrup
Jacob Ulrich Holfeldt Tostrup (1806 – 1890) is one of the best known Norwegian jewelers, silversmiths and goldsmiths.
Tostrup was born in Norway to Nicolai Tostrup, an infantry captain, and his wife. He was the fourth of eight children. Between 1823 and 1828 he lived in Bergen, where he was apprenticed as a goldsmith to Chritopher Desinghtun. After a period spent in Saint Petersburg, working for the Imperial Court he moved to Christiania where he opened his jewellery firm in 1831. Thanks to an immediate success he gradually expanded the workshop, which became large and more mechanised. Tostrup’s firm became very popular, especially for its innovative designs often combining silver with different materials and techniques, such as glass and enamel.
In 1848 Jacob created the enameled insignia for the new founded Order of St. Olav and was soon put in charge of all the Order’s production.
Noticed for the high quality of his work, J. Tostrup was named Royal Court Jeweler and was appointed a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for his work as a goldsmith.
Jacob’s son, Oluf Tostrup (1842 - 1882) became involved in his father’s business when he was very young. He was one of the first to encourage the revival of ancient Norwegian enamel techniques. In 1881 Oluf was appointed sole owner of J. Tostrup company, but he died prematurely the following year.
In 1884 Jacob Tostrup took his grandson-in-law, Torolf Prytz (1858 – 1938) as a partner. At Jacob’s death in 1890 he took over the business. He specialised in filigree and became one of the most prominent Art Nouveau designers. In 1900 he exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, where he received a Gold medal.
The business was passed down to the following generations and it is still active nowadays.
