Daisy - An Icon




 In youth from rock to rock I went,
From hill to hill in discontent
Of pleasure high and turbulent,
Most pleased when most uneasy;
But now my own delights I make, -
My thirst at every rill can slake,
And gladly Nature's love partake
Of Thee, sweet Daisy!

                                   from To the Daisy by William Wordsworth

Last year Queen Margrethe of Denmark celebrated the 40th anniversary of her ascension to the Danish throne, and it's worth mentioning here that she is also very much an admirer of our own Queen. Margrethe is affectionately known as "Queen Daisy", a name which is derived from the Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens), which are large daisies, measuring about 2 ½ inches across and come in shades of white, pink or yellow.

The George Jensen DAISY Jewellery Collection was launched to celebrate the birth of the Margrethe in 1940. This modest and cheerful piece of jewellery became a symbol of the hope that the birth of the Princess inspired in Denmark during the war, and has remained a firm favourite for many Scandinavian women throughout the years.

As always George Jensen takes its classics and re-interprets them with a modern twist.  In 2008 the Danish flower was successfully launched globally with new colours, new designs and new styling. In 2010 the reversible DAISY Collection featured new designs which emphasised the subtlety and lightness of the daisy in black and white with gold or silver. The collection now constitutes earrings, ear hooks, rings, bracelets, brooches and necklaces.

Today the collection is characterised by the multi-layered daisy chains of the sautoirs and bracelets, although the delicacy of the chains are equally alluring when draped as a loose cluster or worn singly.


Interestingly I've read that the Danish government had declared the Marguerite Daisy as the National Flower of the Country although the Wikipedia entry on Flower Emblems states that "The daisy won a 1980s private competition about choosing a national flower, but has not been officially adopted."

White bold daisies emblazon the signs of the Marguerite Route, a country-wide scenic route that takes you past more than 200 of Denmark's top attractions and through some of the country's most picturesque scenery.

Interestingly a Daisy is also the name of a refreshing cocktail, a long drink consisting of a base spirit (gin, rum, brandy, whiskey, vodka or tequila), fresh lemon juice, chilled soda, sugar and grenadine - is that why they say 'fresh as a daisy'?


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