Jo Hammerborg

Jo Hammerborg grew up on the outskirts of Randers in a modest white-collar family. Trained as a silversmith, he lived a life of remarkable breadth—fighting as a saboteur in Denmark’s WWII resistance movement, studying at the Academy of Fine Arts, and honing his craft at Georg Jensen. In 1957, he embarked on what would become his defining role: chief designer at Fog & Mørup, where he shaped the company’s golden age until 1980.

A visionary and relentless entrepreneur, Hammerborg poured his passion into every endeavor. Under his leadership, Fog & Mørup reached unprecedented creative and commercial heights. With a keen eye for form, function, and aesthetics—coupled with deep technical expertise—he designed over 180 lamps, many of which earned international acclaim. His work defined an era, yet production of his iconic designs ceased in the late 1990s following a series of corporate mergers.

Beyond design, Hammerborg was an adventurous spirit—a pioneer in parachuting and aviation. Tragically, his love for skydiving led to his untimely death at 62 in a fatal accident.

For decades, his lamps remained coveted collector’s items, traded among antique dealers. Then, in 2013, Fritz Hansen revived his legacy, reintroducing the Orient pendant in collaboration with the Hammerborg family. Today, his innovative designs continue to illuminate modern spaces, proving that true craftsmanship transcends time.