Jhq Nissen
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish More Dining and Entertaining
Rosewood
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...
Brass
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut, Upholstery
2010s American Modern Stools
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Jens Quistgaard for sale on 1stDibs
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.