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.
MCM Stoneware "Fleur de Lys" Platter by Niels Refsgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Niels Refsgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice MCM stoneware "Fleur de Lys" platter by Niels Refsgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 10.5"D x 1.25"...
Stoneware
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Wood Cheese Board Jens Quistgaard Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Danish Mid-century modern teak wood cheese board set with an integrated slicer, likely designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Staved teak wood boar...
Brass, Stainless Steel
1970s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Teak Peppermill with Salt by Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in St. Louis, MO
A 1970s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Salt & peppermill made of teak, tall form with raised rings. Stamped Dansk Designs Ltd Denmark JHQ. Nice ori...
Teak
Four Early Brass Jens Quistgaard For Dansk Candlesticks Made In Finland
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Doraville, GA
DESCRIPTION Four heavy brass candlesticks designed by Jens Quistgaard, made in Finland and produced for Dansk. The candlesticks measure approximate 4 3/8 inches tall and the base is...
Brass
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Rare White Porcelain Pitcher by Dansk Designs, Austria
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this elegant water pitcher in white porcelain, by dank designs Austria excellent condition, no chips or cracks, circa 1960s.
Porcelain
$148Sale Price / set|20% Off
Dansk France Jens Quistgaard Teardrop Candleholders
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Interesting pair of Dansk tilting silver plated teardrop candleholders in great vintage condition. This piece was designed by Jens Quistgaard and are true ...
Metal
Pair Jens Quistgaard Dansk Danish Modern Swirl Candle Holder Stick 3 Pairs Avail
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful and elegant pair of early cast iron candle holders with brass accents designed by Jens Quistgaard and made in Denmark by Dansk. These candle holders have an S shaped base t...
Brass, Iron
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk "Congo" Teak Ice Bucket, Model 810, Danish Modern IHQ
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Carlos, CA
An outstanding example of the Dansk Congo ice bucket — Model 810 — designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced in Denmark during the 1960s. The Congo stands as one of the most ce...
Plastic, Teak
Jens Harald Quistgaard Teak Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Oakland, CA
Solid teak ice bucket with black plastic liner designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Design, circa 1960 Denmark.
Plastic, Teak
Dansk Striped Plate Mid Century Modern
By Dansk
Located in Fraser, MI
Dansk Stripes Plate.
Ceramic
Vintage Midentury Brass Candlestick by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant brass candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard, in a sleek, tapering form.
Brass
1960s Dansk Teak Cheese Board + Knife Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Dansk Teak Cheese Board + Knife Jens Quistgaard Dansk Cheese Board + Cutting Knife 8.75 long x 5.25 d x 1 Preowned original vintage Refer to l...
Teak
Dansk Saucer Spray Candle holder Jens Harald Quistgaard JHQ Brass
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, vintage Dansk "Saucer Spray" candle holder in brass. Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard (JHQ) for Dansk Designs, these mid-century modern pieces are typically...
Brass
Dansk Sculptural Double-Form White Ceramic Vase, Danish Modern Minimalist Design
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking sculptural ceramic vase by Dansk, executed in a clean white glazed finish with an architectural double-column form. The design features two vertically fused cylindrical bo...
Ceramic
MCM Iron Candle Holder by Gunnar Cyren Lysestager for Dansk
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage MCM six candle iron holder by Gunnar Cyren Lysestager for Dansk, circa 1960s. This is a rare form has a great patina and measures 4"D x 5"H and holds .125"D tapered candles....
Iron
Rare Dansk Beehive Flamestone 7pc. Cooking Serving Fondue Set / Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A seven piece set of two salt and pepper shakers , two bowls , lid and a two piece base . Because of it's shape it was called the Beehive cooking set similar to a founde set having t...
Pottery
Large MCM Stoneware Platter / Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
A large MCM stoneware platter / serving tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk circa 19780s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 16.75"W 14"D ...
Stoneware
Danish Modern Whimsical Hand Painted Rare Ceramid Bottle by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical hand painted porcelain bottle by Dansk can be used for liquor , oil vinegar etc. you can put a cork or spout.
Porcelain
Danish Modern Solid Teak Large Salad Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic Large solid teak bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition beautiful thick walls.
Teak
Niels Refsgaard for Dansk Arabesque Set of 4 Porcelain Coasters
By Dansk, Niels Refsgaard
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking vintage porcelain coasters feature blue geometric pattern on bright white porcelain background, creating an abstract decor in distinctive Scandinavian blue and white colors....
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Set Of Brown Smooth Flamestone Designed By Jens Quistgaard For Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Doraville, GA
DESCRIPTION One of the first sets of tableware designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs in Denmark in 1957. The tableware was named Fluted Flamestone. The set offered has 11 pi...
Ceramic
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Staved Teak Banded Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk IHQ
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice, freshly oiled, lidded, staved teak ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The piece is in excellent condition and retains its original black plastic ice liner...
Teak
Palisander & Rosewood Box / Humidor by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
A very hard-to-find concave square lidded container, box or humidor designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The box is made of palisander or rosewood (same family of wood...
Palisander, Rosewood
Early Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Flamestone Coffee Pot with Mugs and Demitasses
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Denmark 'Flamestone' coffee or tea pot, four demitasses, four mugs, and eight saucers (four small / four larger) by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, circa 1958-1964. Features the Flamestone signature slate, almost brown glazed-earthenware with striated pattern and white porcelain interior (pitcher has a green tinge to the porcelain interior). Elegant, attractive set with only one fleck to the rim of one of the mugs (very minor and easy to miss -- see photos 15 and 16 for closeups). Early, Danish production, as indicated by the markings and rough exterior (a smooth version was introduced in 1964). Measures: Pitcher H 13.5" x L 7.5" x D 5" Coffee mugs H 3.75" x L 4" x D 3.13" Coffee saucers...
Earthenware, Porcelain
Pair of Solid Teak Salad Server Tongs by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of solid teak salad servers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped in the handle. Denmark, 1950s
Teak
Rare Jens H. Quistgaard Danish Modern Wenge Wood Ice Bucket Dansk Denmark, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare Danish Modern Wenge Wood Ice Bucket designed by the Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark in the 1960's. From his 'Rare Woods’ Limited Edition collection. Scandinavi...
Wenge
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Five Danish Modern Staved Teak Coaster Set by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice set of five Danish modern staved teak coasters by Dansk, circa 1970s. The coasters are in very good vintage condition and measure 3.75"D x .375"H each. Great quality staved teak...
Teak
Vintage Set Of Brown Smooth Flamestone Designed By Jens Quistgaard For Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Doraville, GA
DESCRIPTION One of the first sets of tableware designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs in Denmark in 1957. The tableware was named Fluted Flamestone. The set offered has 5 pie...
Ceramic
Dansk Rare Woods Monumental Palisander Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Large and rare ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for the Dansk rare woods line. Introduced in 1961, the Rare Woods line was the finest designs and materials. Dansk described...
Palisander
Dansk Flamestone Stoneware Coffee Pot by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Sacramento, CA
Dansk Flamestone stoneware coffee pot designed by Jens Quistgaard. Originally produced in 1963, the Flamestone series was one of the first designs Qui...
Stoneware
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk "Odin" Service for Eight
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in New York, NY
Jens Quistgaard Odin for Dansk Silverware, 40 pieces creating service for 8. This service was manufactured in three different countries, Germany, Kore...
Stainless Steel
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of MCM Teak Salt and Pepper Shakers with Box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of MCM teak salt and pepper shakers with original box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The set are in very good vintage co...
Teak
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Tray designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Mid Century Danish Modern tray, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Constructed of solid staved teak, this iconic example is in excellent, original, clean and ready to u...
Teak
Pair of Dansk Teak & Walnut Trivets by Jens H. Quistgaard, Circa 1980s
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural and highly functional pair of Danish modern teak qne walnut trivets designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs. This set includes two complementary forms: a round,...
Teak, Walnut
Danish Modern Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Danish modern staved teak tapered bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The bowl is 11.5"D x 4.5"H and in very good condition. Signed on the underside. #3875
Teak
$180Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Candleholders Birds Design by Gunnar Cyren For Dansk Silverplate
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful, elegant pair of silver-plated love birds designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk circa 1980's it takes a thin tapered candle 1/4" diameter.
Silver Plate
Very Large Teak Decorative Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark, 1960's
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Very Large Teak Decorative Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark, 1960's "some scratches, etc. and an imperfection / repair on the interior of the bowl - see images" "beautif...
Teak
Zinc Plated Elephant Paperweight in Box by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice zinc plated elephant paperweight by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk, circa 1970s. . The piece is in very good condition and signed on the underside. #4989
Zinc
Dansk Saucer Spray Candle holdersJens Harald Quistgaard JHQe
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, vintage Dansk "Saucer Spray" candle holders. Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard (JHQ) for Dansk Designs, these mid-century modern pieces are typically made of...
Silver Plate
Dansk Paddle Shaped Teak Cheese Board with Fitted Handle for Serving Knife
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Dansk Paddle Shaped Teak Cheese Board with Fitted Handle for Serving Knife, circa 1970s. The board is in very good vintage condition and measures 15"W x 1.5"D x 12"H. A knife is not ...
Teak
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Tilt Candleholders By Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Tilt Candleholders By Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
Silver Plate
Dansk Designs Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard Viking Handles Mid Century Modern
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern Dansk Designs serving tray made of teak wood, designed by Jens Quistgaard in the 1950s or 1960s. Sculpted "Viking" handles, commonly use...
Teak
Pair of Portable Staved Teak Cheese Tray with Knife by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
pair of portable staved teak cheese tray with knife by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970's. The set is in very nice condition; the knife hides inside the tray early production ma...
Stainless Steel
Butter Knives Mid-Century Fjord Jens Quistgaard Dansk Design
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a pair of butter knives mid-century "Fjord" pattern originally designed by Jens Quistgaard in 1954 for Dansk Designs. Stamped , made in Germany, Early ducks lo...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Danish Teak Tray with Glass Bowls by Jens Harald Quistgaard, 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Asaa, DK
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern teak tray with glass bowls by Jens Harald Quistgaard for IHQ Dansk Designs, 1960s. Serving tray in solid teak with six green glass dishes. Each dish has feet that fits into the lattice on the tray. Length 46.5 cm. Marked JHQ Dansk Designs...
Glass, Teak
$680Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jens H. Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens H. Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960s. Nice original patina. Each signed with makers mark to the bottom.
Brass
Jens Harald Quistgaard Dansk Teak Salad Bowl and 4 Serving Bowls 1960's
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely Danish Teak Salad Bowl with 4 serving bowls. A very clean and popular design - all functional and stylish in Danish Design by Jens Quistgaard Four bowls measure 7" in dia...
Teak
Sculptural Silver Plated Coiled Candle Holder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk Design
By Dansk, Bertil Vallien
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Dansk Designs France Silver-Plated Spiral Tapered Candlesticks, Candle Holder. Sculptural silver plated coiled candleholder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece has a ...
Silver Plate
$420Sale Price|20% Off
Solid Teak Jewelry or Trinket Box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare and hard to find solid teak jewelry or trinket box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1950s. The box has a removable lid and measures: 14.5" W x 2.75" D x 1.5" H. The pi...
Teak
$455Sale Price|30% Off
Jens Quistgaard Cast Iron Candleholder for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in New York, NY
Two-piece cast iron candleholder or vessel designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. A sculptural and scarce form from Quistgaard's ce...
Iron
$920Sale Price|40% Off
Jens H. Quistgaard “Bow Tie” Palisander Rosewood Tray for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish tray designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk in Denmark circa 1960s. Impeccably crafted in palisander rosewood, this sculptural serving tray features a bow tie shape with th...
Rosewood
$125Sale Price / set|32% Off
Danish Modern Pair Dansk Designs Brown Koben Style Enameled Bowls IHQ 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Mid-Century Modern pair of enameled Koben style bowls. Barrel shaped with brown enamel over iron bowls from the early 1970s. Koben Style pieces we...
Enamel, Iron
$250Sale Price|36% Off
Mid-century Jens Quistgaard for Danks Cube Ice Bucket c.1960
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original mid-century Jens Quistgaard Teak cube ice bucket with black, plastic insert. Impressed stamp on the bottom with maker's mark. CREATOR Dansk, Denmark. DATE...
Plastic, Teak
Postmodern Dansk Space Age Serving Tray & Cutting Board By Gunnar Cyren
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful rare serving platter designed by Gunnar Cyren for dansk circa 1980's great design with removable cutting board in the middle made of solid birch wood grea striking red color.
Plastic, Birch
Pair Dansk Striped Plates Mid Century Modern
By Dansk
Located in Fraser, MI
Pair Striped Plates by Dansk.
Ceramic
Midcentury Jens Quistgaard for DANSK iron S-shaped Sculptural Candleholders
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Southampton, NJ
Set of 6, highly sculptural, cast iron S-shaped candleholders by Jens Quistgaard for DANSK. Fully marked JHQ DENMARK on the base. Candles not included. Each candleholder accepts a .5...
Brass, Iron
Modernist Vivianna Torun for Dansk Silver Plate Tea Sugar Creamer Set
By Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic modernist cream and sugar bowl designed by Vivanna Torun for Dansk Designs. Great sculptural design. Silver plated and hard to find acce...
Danish Modern Tall Teak Bar Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
This iconic Danish modern ice bucket, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk in the 1970s, is a perfect blend of form and function. Crafted from rich teak wood, it exemplifies Quistga...
Teak
1950s Jens Quistgaard Scandinavian Modern Teak Serving Tray
By Dansk
Located in Germantown, MD
A large 1950s Jens Quistgaard Scandinavian Modern Teak Serving Tray. Measures 26.75" in width, 12.5" in depth and 1.75" in height.
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Butcher Block Cheese Board by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A very hard to find light wood Danish modern butcher block cutting board / cheese tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1980s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures ...
Ash