1950s Danish Modern Design Teak Wood Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard Dansk MCM
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Quistgaard (Designer),Dansk (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 0.91 in (2.3 cm)Width: 21.86 in (55.5 cm)Depth: 11.23 in (28.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bad Säckingen, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7989239475812
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: Bad Säckingen, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 30 days of delivery.
- 1950s Danish Modern Design Teak Watering Can Jens Quistgaard Attributed MCMBy Jens QuistgaardLocated in Bad Säckingen, DEVintage 1950s sculptural watering can probably designed by Jens Quistgaard. Charming object turned of solid teak wood with an inner plastic container.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Pitchers
MaterialsWood, Teak
- Sculptural Candelabra Candle Holder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk JHQ Cast IronBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Bad Säckingen, DEBring a touch of mid-century modern elegance to your home with this iconic Jens Quistgaard candelabra, designed in the 1960s. Crafted from cast iron and brass, this sculptural piec...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsBrass, Iron
- Antique Fench Sterling Silver Rococo Revival Fish Serving Fork & Knife CutleryLocated in Bad Säckingen, DEA fantastic conditioned and highly decorative antique fish serving knife and fork cutlery set with the original box. Manufacture...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Revival Serving Pieces
MaterialsSilver, Silver Plate
- 1970s Danish Candleholder the Hornblower by Christel & Christer Holmgren MCMBy Illums Bolighus, Christel & Christer HolmgrenLocated in Bad Säckingen, DEA vintage mid century modern black patinated cast iron "Hornblower" candelabra or candle holder designed by Christel & Christer Holmgren for the Danish manufacturer Illums Bolinghus ...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsIron
- 1950s Norwegian Teak Elephant Figure Sculpture Midcentury Arne Tjomsland StyleBy Arne TjomslandLocated in Bad Säckingen, DEA Minimalist hand-carved and polished teak wood elephant figurine in the style of Arne Tjomsland. This sculpture is a perfect add-on for any Mid Century interior or a perfect gift ...Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsWood, Teak
- Table Floor Lamp by Stiil Keramik Denmark Danish Modern Stoneware CeramicBy Stiil Keramik, Mette Løkke StiilLocated in Bad Säckingen, DEThis table or floor lamp by Stiil Keramik Denmark is a stunning example of Danish Modern design. Handcrafted from stoneware ceramic, the lamp is decorated with an organic pattern tha...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Stoneware
- Danish Teak Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, 1950sBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Southampton, GBDanish teak tray by Jens Quistgaard, the renowned Danish sculptor and industrial designer who worked prolifically for the American company Dansk Designs in the 1950s and 1960s. His w...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Teak Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, 1950sBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Southampton, GBDanish teak tray by Jens Quistgaard, the renowned Danish sculptor and industrial designer who worked prolifically for the American company Dansk Designs in the 1950s and 1960s. His w...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- MCM Teak Two Handled Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in San Diego, CAA very nice MCM teak two handled serving tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures...Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Teak Tray by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Southampton, GBDanish teak tray by Jens Quistgaard, the renowned Danish sculptor and industrial designer who worked prolifically for the American company Dansk Designs in the 1950s and 1960s. His w...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern solid Teak Dansk Tray Designed by QuistgaardBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful solid teak Dansk tray circa 1980's. designed by Quistgaard for Dansk nice round corners with raised edge stamped at the bottom , great condition a must for any danish Moder...Category
20th Century Thai Scandinavian Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- Jens Quistgaard Bamboo & Teak Tray for Dansk, Denmark, 1960'sBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJens Quistgaard Bamboo & Teak Tray for Dansk, Denmark, 1960's.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsBamboo, Teak