Hi Holly,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Dansk silver is culturally important for bringing Danish Modern design into everyday life during the mid-20th century. Founded in 1954 by Theodore Waddell and shaped by designer Jens Quistgaard, Dansk emphasized clean lines, organic forms, and functional beauty inspired by Scandinavian craftsmanship. Its silver and silver-plate objects—flatware, bowls, and serving pieces—blurred the line between art and utility. Dansk helped popularize modern design in American homes, influencing postwar taste toward simplicity and quality.

Gunnar Cyrén (1931–2013) was a Swedish glass artist, silversmith, and designer best known for blending modernist form with wit and color. Trained at the Royal College of Art in Stockholm, he worked in both glass and metal, often introducing playful, sculptural elements into functional objects.

His connection to Dansk came through the brand’s mission to bring Scandinavian modern design to a broad audience. Cyrén designed silver and silver-plate objects for Dansk in the mid- to late-20th century, complementing the work of Jens Quistgaard while offering a more expressive, sometimes whimsical modernism. His Dansk designs helped expand the company’s aesthetic range and reinforced its reputation for innovative, collectible Scandinavian design.

These are Cyrén's cat and rabbit paperweights, which are among his most recognizable and charming designs, and they perfectly capture his reputation for playful modernism.

Created primarily in the 1960s–1970s, these paperweights were produced in both clear crystal with bold internal color accents, often in red, blue, or yellow, as well as silver-plated zinc as in yours. The animals are highly stylized—reduced to simple, rounded forms—yet instantly readable, reflecting Cyrén’s belief that design should be joyful, humorous, and approachable, not severe or purely functional.

They were made in Sweden, most commonly at Orrefors, and some examples were retailed through Dansk, aligning them with the Scandinavian modern movement that Dansk popularized in the U.S. Their appeal lies in the balance of high craftsmanship and lighthearted character.

In August 2022, Pook & Pook sold a set of 14 silver-plated zinc paperweights for just $110 for the group, against an estimate of $160-220. This contrasts with the low-mid three-figure retail pricing such figural paperweights can bring when sold individually by retailers.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

Two silver-plated zinc animal-form paperweights
designed by Gunnar Cyrén for Dansk
Comprising a bunny rabbit and cat
Usually about 2-3 inches tall
CONDITION: These appear to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Unknown
$ 25-35 for the pair*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia