Jens Quistguaard for Dansk Designs Candlesticks, a Pair
About the Item
- Creator:Dansk (Manufacturer),Jens Quistgaard (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Diameter: 3.31 in (8.41 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa Late 1960s-Early 1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Ferndale, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5914229394472
Jens Quistgaard
The postwar-era work of Danish sculptor and designer Jens Harald Quistgaard is still exceedingly popular in living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens in the United States, Europe and Japan, particularly in the homes of mid-century design enthusiasts. Having created serving pieces and barware for Dansk Designs for 30 years, Quistgaard produced striking Scandinavian modernist designs that married function with sophisticated form.
After demonstrating artistic talent at a young age, Quistgaard was gifted a forge and anvil so that he could work in his mother’s kitchen. He built toys, jewelry and hunting knives under his father’s tutelage. Later, he spent years learning from local artisans how to produce wood, metal, ceramic and glass models. Quistgaard’s career path solidified during his apprenticeship as a silversmith with legendary Danish silver firm Georg Jensen.
By 1954, Quistgaard had become known for his designs in Denmark when American entrepreneur and businessman, Ted Nierenberg, discovered his work. The two formed a partnership to mass-produce Quistgaard’s wares in New York while the designer remained in Copenhagen.
The long-distance relationship flourished for three decades, during which millions of Quistgaard pieces were manufactured in the factories of Dansk Designs, Nierenberg’s company. Owing primarily to the partnership between Dansk Designs and Quistgaard, many Americans became familiar with Scandinavian modernism. In the postwar era, American tastemakers sold the citizenry on the “Scandinavian dream,” suggesting that, like us, the inhabitants of the Nordic nations valued home, hearth, family and good craftsmanship and design, as well as democracy.
The designs for Quistgaard’s Købenstyle line and other collections during the mid-1950s were revolutionary, with bowls built like barrels and charming, lightweight monochrome tableware in enameled steel. Quistgaard utilized exceptional materials in the creation of his coveted cookware and serving pieces, opting for warm teak and exotic woods and reintroducing steel as a go-to option for kitchen wares.
Quistgaard’s designs won numerous awards and are held in the collections of museums all over the world. His work can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art and elsewhere.
Find vintage Jens Harald Quistgaard decorative objects, serveware and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Dansk
Ironically, Dansk Designs, the tableware company practically synonymous with Danish design (“Dansk,” in fact, translates to “Danish”), was the brainchild of an American couple, Ted and Martha Nierenberg.
The Nierenbergs, who founded the business in 1954, initially worked out of the garage of their Great Neck, Long Island, home and marketed their serveware, tables, decorative objects and other products largely in the United States. But they had a secret weapon: Jens Quistgaard.
After demonstrating artistic talent at a young age, the Copenhagen native was gifted a forge and anvil so that he could work in his mother’s kitchen. Quistgaard built toys, jewelry and hunting knives under his father’s tutelage. Later, he spent years learning from local artisans how to produce wood, metal, ceramic and glass models. Quistgaard’s career path solidified during his apprenticeship as a silversmith with legendary Danish silver firm Georg Jensen.
The Nierenbergs discovered the sculptor and designer on their honeymoon, which they’d spent traveling through Europe searching for top-quality goods that might form the basis of a business.
After they hired Quistgaard and launched Dansk, their products swiftly came to epitomize the best of accessible Scandinavian design for mid-century American consumers, who fell for the firm’s staved-teak salad bowls, colorful casseroles and stainless-steel flatware, all of which managed to look handmade despite being mass-produced.
The long-distance relationship flourished for 30 years, during which millions of Quistgaard pieces were manufactured in the company's factories.
The designs for Quistgaard’s Købenstyle line and other collections during the mid-1950s were revolutionary, with bowls built like barrels and charming, lightweight monochrome tableware in enameled steel. Quistgaard’s work married function with striking, sophisticated form. He utilized exceptional materials in the creation of his coveted cookware, barware and serving pieces, opting for warm teak and exotic woods and reintroducing steel as a go-to option for kitchen wares.
Quistgaard’s postwar-era Scandinavian modernist work is still exceedingly popular in living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens in the United States, Europe and Japan, particularly in the homes of mid-century design enthusiasts.
Find vintage Dansk Designs furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Ferndale, MI
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Set of Three Modernist Geometric Form Lucite CandlesticksLocated in Ferndale, MIThree lucite candlesticks in graduated height and geometric form. Can be configured in multiple ways. Medium Form Measurements: 3.88"d x 4.5"w x 4.88"t Small Form Measurements: 3.25...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsLucite, Acrylic
- Modernist 3 Arm Curvilinear Candelabra by Fisher SilversmithsLocated in Ferndale, MIModern Fisher Silversmiths curvilinear 3 arm candelabra. Impressed with manufacturer's mark to underside. c.1960s Perfect for a low table scape. G...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sheffield and Silverplate
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Bitossi for Raymor Lidded Pedestal Jar, 1960'sBy Raymor, BitossiLocated in Ferndale, MIBitossi for Raymor rare model 7549 pedestal lidded jar, in earth tones with bright pops of color and sgraffito style. The painted wooden lid has Denmark incised on underside. Signed ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jars
MaterialsCeramic, Paint, Wood
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Cambogia Striped Vase, 1950'sBy Raymor, Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Ferndale, MIAldo Londi for Bitossi Cambogia Series cylindrical vase with alternating horizontal stripes of various glazes and textures from the 1950s. The last photo shows it paired with a lidde...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Signed Vicke Linstrand for Kosta Crystal Owl PaperweightBy Vicke LindstrandLocated in Ferndale, MIA Kosta crystal paperwieght by Vicke Lindstrand with etched eyes and feathers on head and front side of body. Underside is signed Kosta 92458 Lindstrand....Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
MaterialsCrystal
- Italian Volcanic Glaze Bottleneck Vase for Raymor, 1960sBy RaymorLocated in Ferndale, MI1960s Italian bottleneck vase with a semi translucent bubbly milky white glaze and horizontal bands of volcanic glaze in lavender, yellow and burnished rust. We appreciate the 'lemon glaze...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsPottery
- Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Pair of Brass CandlesticksBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Mexico City, MXA pair of Danish 1960's brass candle sticks by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs. Both candlesticks are sealed on the lower interior.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBrass
- Jens H. Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960sBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJens H. Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960s. Nice original patina. Each signed with makers mark to the bottom.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBrass
- Tilt Candleholders By Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk DesignsBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Costa Mesa, CATilt Candleholders By Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk DesignsCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Brass Candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in San Diego, CAA pair of solid brass candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Signed on the interior. Made in Denmark, 1950s.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsIron
- Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Iron & Brass CandlesticksBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Denton, TXJens Quistgaard For Dansk Iron & Brass Danish modern Candlesticks.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsIron, Brass
- Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Candle Holder, Denmark 1960sBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Candle Holder, Denmark 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsIron