F. W. Doberck & søn

F. W. Doberck & søn was a Danish decorative-metalwork firm established in Copenhagen in the early nineteenth century. The business was founded by Friedrich Wilhelm Doberck, who had been born in Közlin, Prussia, and moved with his family to Copenhagen when he was eight. After training as a smith, he received Copenhagen citizenship as a master craftsman on 6 February 1821. His first workshop operated in the cellar of the property at Store Kongensgade 49. The firm developed as a family workshop and passed to Doberck’s son, Frederik Wilhelm Doberck. Before taking over, the younger Doberck served an apprenticeship in the business and then spent three years abroad. He continued the firm after his father’s retirement in August 1846, initially relocating the operation to Store Strandstræde 6. In 1862 the workshop moved again, this time to Store Strandstræde 9. These successive premises reflect the firm’s transition from a small smithing operation into an established Copenhagen producer of architectural metalwork and specialist decorative fittings. A third generation entered the business when Louis Arthur Doberck, the third-eldest son of Frederik Wilhelm Doberck, completed his apprenticeship in 1880. He subsequently continued his education abroad and assumed control of the family enterprise in January 1886. In 1899 he purchased the property at Lille Strandstræde 22, where a new building was completed the following year to designs by architect Georg Wittrock. The purpose-built premises represented the firm’s long-term presence in Copenhagen and its continuing importance as a specialist craft manufacturer. The company’s work extended beyond ordinary smithing. It produced decorative metal elements for notable Copenhagen buildings, including Copenhagen City Hall. Other documented commissions included a gate at Amagertorv 6 and street lamps at the Church of the Holy Ghost. The firm was also described as a leading maker of chandeliers and other finely crafted decorative lighting fixtures, placing it within Copenhagen’s architectural, ecclesiastical, and interior-furnishing trades. Louis Arthur Doberck died at the age of 48 in 1907. His widow, Emilie Doberck, kept the business operating for a further six years. On 11 March 1913 she sold it to Carl Julius Emil Amundin, who had been a close friend of her late husband and was born Jørgensen. The family and managerial succession continued when Amundin’s son, Svend Amundin, became a partner on 6 October 1941. The available reference material documents the firm’s nineteenth- and early twentieth-century development, commissions, and succession, but does not establish its eventual closure, later ownership, or present operating status.

F. W. Doberck & søn originated in Copenhagen as the workshop of Friedrich Wilhelm Doberck, a Prussian-born smith who had moved to Denmark as a child. After completing his trade training, Doberck was granted citizenship as a master craftsman on 6 February 1821. His first premises were in a cellar at Store Kongensgade 49, where the enterprise began as a specialist smithing workshop. The business was continued by Friedrich Wilhelm’s son, Frederik Wilhelm Doberck. The younger Doberck first apprenticed in the family firm and then spent three years abroad, gaining further experience before returning to Copenhagen. When his father retired in August 1846, Frederik Wilhelm assumed responsibility for the company. He moved the workshop to Store Strandstræde 6 and later, in 1862, to Store Strandstræde 9. The next generation was represented by Louis Arthur Doberck, the third-eldest son of Frederik Wilhelm. Louis completed his apprenticeship in the firm in 1880 and continued his professional education abroad. He became head of the business in January 1886. In 1899 he acquired the property at Lille Strandstræde 22, and a new workshop or commercial building was completed there in 1900 according to designs by architect Georg Wittrock. During its established period, the firm produced decorative metalwork for significant Copenhagen buildings. Its documented contributions included work for Copenhagen City Hall, a gate at Amagertorv 6, and street lamps at the Church of the Holy Ghost. The company’s trade also encompassed chandeliers and other finely made decorative lighting fixtures, making it a notable supplier for architectural and interior applications rather than merely a general-purpose blacksmith. Louis Arthur Doberck died in 1907 at the age of 48. His widow, Emilie Doberck, maintained the enterprise for six years after his death. On 11 March 1913 she sold it to Carl Julius Emil Amundin, a close friend of Louis Arthur who had been born Jørgensen. A later stage of the firm’s management is documented by the admission of Amundin’s son, Svend Amundin, as a partner on 6 October 1941. The available account does not provide reliable information about the firm’s subsequent history, closure, or current legal existence.

• 1941

  Svend Amundin becomes a partner

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  Svend Amundin, Carl Julius Emil Amundin’s son, became a partner on 6 October.

• 1913

  Ownership passes to Carl Julius Emil Amundin

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  On 11 March, Emilie Doberck sold the firm to Carl Julius Emil Amundin.

• 1907

  Louis Arthur Doberck dies

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  Following Louis Arthur Doberck’s death at age 48, his widow Emilie continued operating the firm.

• 1900

  New building completed

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  A new building was completed at Lille Strandstræde 22 to designs by architect Georg Wittrock.

• 1899

  Property acquired at Lille Strandstræde 22

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  Louis Arthur Doberck purchased the property at Lille Strandstræde 22 for the firm.

• 1886

  Louis Arthur Doberck assumes control

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  Louis Arthur Doberck took over the business in January, beginning the third documented Doberck generation to lead the firm.

• 1880

  Louis Arthur Doberck completes his apprenticeship

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  Louis Arthur Doberck completed his apprenticeship in the family firm before pursuing further education abroad.

• 1862

  Workshop moves to Store Strandstræde 9

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  The operation relocated to a new documented address at Store Strandstræde 9 in Copenhagen.

• 1846

  Frederik Wilhelm Doberck takes over the firm

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  After his father retired in August, Frederik Wilhelm Doberck continued the family business and moved its premises to Store Strandstræde 6.

• 1821

  Friedrich Wilhelm Doberck receives master-craftsman citizenship

  [1]F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org

  On 6 February, Friedrich Wilhelm Doberck was granted Copenhagen citizenship as a master craftsman, marking the documented beginning of his independent professional standing.

A Copenhagen specialist in high-quality architectural metalwork and ornamental lighting, serving important civic, religious, and urban buildings.

• Architectural metalwork

  Architectural decorative metalwork

  The firm produced ornamental metal elements for civic, religious, and urban buildings in Copenhagen. Documented examples include decorative work for Copenhagen City Hall, a gate at Amagertorv 6, and street lamps at the Church of the Holy Ghost.

• Decorative lighting

  Chandeliers and fine decorative lighting

  Chandeliers and other finely crafted decorative lighting fixtures formed an important part of the company’s range. These products complemented its architectural metalwork and positioned the business as a specialist maker of ornamental interior and building fittings.

1. 1F. W. Doberck & sønen.wikipedia.org