Christian Hammer (1818-1905) was a Norwegian-Swedish jeweler, art collector, and bibliophile, known for amassing one of the largest and most diverse collections of art, antiques, and historical artifacts in Scandinavia.

Early Life and Career

Born on March 30, 1818, in Vangs socken, Norway, Hammer was the son of a farmer, Mons Knudsen. Instead of following in his father’s footsteps, he pursued a career in goldsmithing. Between 1834 and 1837, he trained as a goldsmith apprentice in Kristiania (modern-day Oslo) before traveling to Copenhagen and Paris to refine his craft. In 1840, he moved to Stockholm, Sweden, where he became a workshop master under the esteemed jeweler Gustaf Möllenborg.

By 1846, Hammer had established himself as a goldsmith master, receiving his official certification just before Sweden dissolved its goldsmith guild system. He later took over the workshop of Adolf Zethelius, a prominent Swedish silversmith, and became a court jeweler to the Swedish monarchy.

Passion for Collecting

Hammer’s fascination with art, antiques, and historical artifacts led him to build an extraordinary collection over several decades. His interests spanned a wide range of items, including:

• Books and manuscripts (his library contained over 150,000 volumes)
• Paintings and sculptures
• Weapons and armor
• Musical instruments
• Historical documents and autographs
• Locks and keys
• Porcelain and glassware
• Ecclesiastical artifacts
• Torture devices and curiosities

His collection was housed in multiple locations, including a 20-room apartment near Rosenbad and a villa on Djurgården in Stockholm.

Failed Attempt to Sell His Collection

Recognizing the cultural significance of his collection, Hammer attempted to sell it to the Swedish government in 1872 for 1.6 million riksdaler. However, the offer was rejected due to the high price. Over the next 15 years, negotiations continued, but no agreement was reached.

Auctioning His Collection

By the late 1880s, Hammer decided to auction off his collection abroad. Between 1892 and 1897, he sold large portions of his artifacts in Cologne, Germany. Swedish art dealer Henryk Bukowski attended these auctions and acquired several items for the Nordiska Museet.

Legacy and Death

Hammer continued collecting until his final years. He owned several properties in Stockholm, including Byströms villa on Djurgården and the Furusund resort. He passed away on February 13, 1905, and was buried at Norra begravningsplatsen in Stockholm.

His legacy as a collector and cultural historian remains significant, with many of his artifacts now housed in Swedish museums.