Jens Quistgaard Wenge Tray by Dansk
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Quistgaard (Designer),Dansk (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)Width: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good original vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Highland, IN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU90915671993
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: Highland, IN
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Jens Quistgaard Teak Magazine Holder by DanskBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Highland, INThis teak magazine holder by Jens Quistgaard is both very beautiful, and impeccably crafted. The sculptural form is elegant and highly functional ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsTeak
- Swedish Solid Teak Flip-Top Tables in the Manner of Jens QuistgaardBy Jens QuistgaardLocated in Highland, INThe internet is a miraculous thing, but one aspect of it is that incorrect information has a habit of taking root and refusing to go away. Such is the case for the Jens Quistgaard at...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Higgins Fused Glass Tidbit TrayBy Michael and Frances Higgins, Michael HigginsLocated in Highland, INMichael and Frances Higgins’ distinctive designs in fused glass are rich and complex. This large tidbit or snack tray is a terrific example. The vivid peac...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsGlass
- Large Masuo Ojima Pottery BowlBy Masuo OjimaLocated in Highland, INThis large and striking bowl by Masuo Ojima (b 1949) has a beautiful deep emerald green glaze on the exterior and gunmetal on the interior. The wonderful physical presence makes it a...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsPottery
- Carl Auböck Horn Cake ServerBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in Highland, INIn classic Auböck style, this cake or pie server uses rich materials in an innovative manner. In this case, horn, aluminum, and cane are married to make a most elegant small server. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsAluminum
- Jens Risom Sofa by KnollBy Jens Risom, KnollLocated in Highland, INThis early Risom model 37 sofa for Knoll is classic mid-century. Designed in 1946, the dynamic, but restrained form speaks to Risom's Scandinavian heritage. The upholstered body is s...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBirch, Upholstery
- Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Wenge Serving TrayBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in New York, NYDansk exotic teak and wenge wood round serving tray with beautiful counterbalanced design. Hand made by renowned Danish designer, Jens Quistgaard, in Denmark. Engraved hallmark on b...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak, Wenge
- Large Rare Dansk Rare Woods Wenge & Butcher Block Tray by Jens QuistgaardBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in San Diego, CALarge tray designed by Jens Quistgaard for the Dansk Rare Woods Collection. Constructed of Wenge. Introduced in 1961, the Rare Woods line represented the finest designs and materials...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsWenge
- Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Low Profile Wenge Wood Serving or Dresser TrayBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Ferndale, MIFrom the JHQ Dansk rare wood series. Wenge low serving or dresser top tray.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsWenge
- Dansk Dual Side Divided Tray by Jens QuistgaardBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in San Diego, CADual sided tray designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Constructed of teak with a butcher block section and other divided sections. Denmark, 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Teak Tray by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy 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