No meal feels quite complete without something sweet at the end – especially in summer, when gelato or ice cream becomes a daily ritual. A scooped indulgence often brings back memories of childhood and travel: sitting on the stoop, strolling down a cobbled street, cone in hand. But beyond the nostalgia, there’s something deeper at play. These small pleasures offer a moment of comfort – a brief pause of joy that feels especially welcome when the world feels a little heavy.
Psychologists have shown that ice cream doesn’t just taste good – it actually makes us feel good. The cold, creamy texture and rich flavors trigger the brain’s reward system, releasing mood-boosting endorphins. On top of that, the sensory experience combined with nostalgic feelings turns ice cream into more than just a dessert – you have a moment of calm. In times when the world feels overwhelming, a bit of sweetness can provide a comforting break and help us reset.
This spirit of finding joy in the everyday is exactly what Georg Jensen captures with The Artisans Series, launching this autumn. Celebrating over 120 years of Danish silversmithing, the ice cream and coffee serveware collection reimagines sterling silver not as something precious and untouchable locked away in a cabinet, but as something meant to be used – for an espresso in the morning, a scoop of gelato in the afternoon, a tactile, beautiful object that fits right into the rhythm of daily life.
The series debuted at Milan Design Week this past April through Gelateria Danese, a charming, pop-up ice cream café installation. Inspired by the interiors of Copenhagen’s historic Palace Hotel – where Georg Jensen originally supplied furnishings and silverware – the space also nodded to Milanese café culture. Traditional affogato was served using coffee from Copenhagen’s cult roaster Prolog, while an array of gelato flavors were created by Italo-Nordic chef Chiara Barla. Each dish was presented in reimagined silver vessels: coupe bowls shaped like cones, scalloped saucers, tasting spoons, and popsicle sticks. Rather than create something precious and untouchable, the collection invites use.
The Artisans Series is also a gentle commentary on our culture of convenience. In an age of single-use everything, these handcrafted pieces are a call for permanence – for investing in objects that are meant to endure, age beautifully, and grow more meaningful over time. Georg Jensen is, as ever, in the business of making beautiful things that last.
Yes, the world can feel heavy. But there’s value in carving out small moments of lightness. With The Artisans Series, Georg Jensen reminds us that joy doesn’t need to be grand. It can be as simple as a coffee, a sorbet, and a silver spoon that makes the ordinary feel just a little more extraordinary.
For more information, visit georgjensen.com.
Photography by Neige Thibault and Peter William Vinther, courtesy of Georg Jensen.
