Set of 6 Jens Quistgaard Fjord Steak Knives Flatware by Dansk, Denmark, 1950s
View Similar Items
Set of 6 Jens Quistgaard Fjord Steak Knives Flatware by Dansk, Denmark, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Quistgaard (Designer),Dansk (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)Width: 1 in (2.54 cm)Depth: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1015218544362
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.
- Boxed Amboss Mid-Century 6 Knives And 6 Forks, Flatware Cutlery, Austria, 1950sBy Amboss AustriaLocated in Vienna, ATA set of six small modernist forks and knives in their original boxes. Executed in the 1950s by Amboss Austria. Made of stainless steel with beautiful teak wooden handles. Originally produced as fruit knives and forks...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Boxed Amboss 2050 Carving Knives and Fork by Helmut Alder, Austria, 1950sBy Helmut Alder, Amboss AustriaLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful midcentury Austrian carving set, consisting of caring knive, a meat knive and a fork in its original award-winning handmade wooden box. Out of the 2050 series, designed b...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- Carl Aubock II Walnut Knife Holder with 6 Amboss Knives, Austria, 1950sBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in Vienna, ATLovely set of six beautiful midcentury fruit knives and a holder / stand, made of walnut and cork. Designed by Carl Aubock II and manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop in midcentury, ...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Amboss Austria 2050 Modernist Flatware Cutlery for Six by Helmut Alder, 1950sBy Amboss AustriaLocated in Vienna, ATBeautiful modernist flatware from Austria, model 2050, designed by Helmut Alder, executed by Amboss Austria in the 1950s. High-quality flatware, made of brushed and polished stainless steel. For six persons, consists of 6 big spoons...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Amboss Austria 2050 Flatware Cutlery for Six by Helmut Alder, 34 pcs., 1950sBy Amboss AustriaLocated in Vienna, ATBeautiful modernist flatware from Austria, model 2050, designed by Helmut Alder, executed by Amboss Austria in the 1950s. High-quality flatware, made of brushed and polished stainless steel. For six persons, consists of six big spoons...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Boxed Helmut Alder Amboss 2050 Flatware Cutlery for Six, 30 pcs., Austria, 1950sBy Amboss Austria, Helmut AlderLocated in Vienna, ATBeautiful Mid-century flatware, 2050 series, designed by Helmut Alder, executed by Amboss Austria in the 1950s. High-quality flatware, made of solid, brushed and polished stainless s...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian 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
- 1950s Lacquered Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Sagaponack, NYA turquoise lacquered wood tray with broad, indented handles.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsWood
- 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
- Danish Teak Pepper Mill by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, 1960sBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated 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
- MCM Teak & Stainless Steel Carving Set by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated 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
$300 Sale Price / set20% Off - 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