Pair of MCM Teak Salt and Pepper Shakers with Box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
About the Item
- Creator:Dansk (Manufacturer),Jens Quistgaard (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)Diameter: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of MCM Teak Salt and Pepper Shakers by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in San Diego, CAPair of MCM teak salt and pepper shakers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The set are in very good vintage condition and measure as follows: Salt 2.5" x 4.75" ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsTeak
- MCM Teak & Stainless Steel Carving Set by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in San Diego, CAStylish MCM teak and stainless steel carving set by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The set includes a 14" carving knife and a 11" double pronged serving fork. Both pieces ar...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Steak Knives by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in San Diego, CAA set of 6 teak and stainless Fjord steak knives, designed in the 1950s by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. They look barely used. Comes with the box and original plastic sleeves. This des...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Pair of MCM Teak Salad Servers by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in San Diego, CAA nice pair of MCM teak salad servers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The servers are made of solid teak and they measure 13.25" long x 2"...Category
Mid-20th Century Malaysian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- Rare Pepper Mill by Jens H. Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in San Diego, CAEarly teak and cane/bamboo pepper mill by Jens Quistgaard. Metal grinding mechanisms produced by Peugeot Freres. The mill was produced by Dansk in Denmark. Marked DANMARK.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern More Dining and Entertaining
MaterialsCane, Teak
- MCM Teak Two Handled Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated 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
- Jens Quistgaard Teak Salt and Pepper Mill for Dansk DesignsBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage salt and pepper mill designed by renowned Scandinavian designer Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Crafted from premium quality teak wood, this s...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tableware
MaterialsTeak
- Early Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Flamestone Salt and Pepper ShakersBy Jens QuistgaardLocated in Brooklyn, NYDanish 'Flamestone' earthenware salt and pepper shakers by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk designs, circa 1958-1964. Features the Flamestone signature slate glaze with striated pattern ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain, Stoneware
- Jens Quistgaard Salt and Pepper Shakers for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of salt and pepper shakers by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark, circa 1960s. The Minimalist shakers feature a tapered cylindrical form in brushed stainless steel. To di...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Danish Teak Pepper Mill by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, 1960sBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Southampton, GBTeak pepper mill and salt pot designed by Jens Quistgaard, a Danish sculptor and industrial designer, in the late 1950s for Dansk Designs. This is model 83...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tableware
MaterialsTeak
- Dansk Denmark Quistgaard Design Stainless Steel Salt Pepper ShakersBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Ferndale, MIJens Quistgaard design for Dansk. Salt and pepper shakers in stainless steel.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Staved Teak Bowl by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Design, DenmarkBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Hägersten, SELarge bowl designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard. Produced in Denmark by Dansk during the 1950s. Made from solid staved teak. Good vintage condition with signs of usage and patina.Category
Vintage 1950s European Scandinavian Modern Tableware
MaterialsTeak