Designer: Calvin Klein (born 1942)

Item: Ellipse Carving Set

Manufactured by: Calvin Klein Home collection

Country of origin: Korea

Year made: Designed in 1995 for Swid Powell, manufactured circa 1999-2004

Materials: Silverplate over brass and steel blade on knife

Dimensions: Knife is ½” x 13 ¼” x 1”, fork is ½” x 11” x 1 ¼”, box is 1 ¼” x 13 ¼” x 1 ½” 

Condition: Mint in original box. Box has some dents and small stains.

References: Stern, Jewel, Modernism in American Silver: 20thCentury Design, Yale Stern University Press (2005).

Description: This timeless design by Calvin Klein for Swid Powell was initially produced by Nan Swid Designs for Calvin Klein Home and then continued in production by Calvin Klein Home after Nan Swid Design closed in about 2000. In 1995 Klein entered into a licensing agreement with Swid Powell for all of Klein’s tabletop housewares before the name changed to Nan Swid Design. This elegant and minimalist flatware design is illustrated in Stern’s book on page 319, and examples can be found in the Dallas Museum of Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Yale University Art Gallery collections. Ellipse was produced in both a silver-plate and stainless finish. However, this line was discontinued in about 2004 and finding them in either finish has become extremely difficult. Finding examples mint in their original packaging is even harder. This set is worthy of any serious collection of late 20th century design.