He was born in Østre Toten (in Innlandet) to Anders Svendsen and Anne Margrethe Gulbrandsdatter, and was the father of goldsmith Arthur David-Andersen.

From 1859 he was in apprenticeship with the jeweller Jacob Tostrup in Christiania (now called Oslo).

He spent several periods abroad, in Berlin, Stockholm, Paris and London.

During his stay in London he also imported Norwegian filigree works to the United Kingdom.

A significant part of his filigree works was exported to Great Britain.