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.
Scandinavian Modern Large Dansk Staved Teak Salad Bowl Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a large Dansk staved teak bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard. Made in Denmark. Scandinavian Modern. Dimensions: 6" H x 16.5" D...
Teak
1960s Dansk International Teak Salad Bowl Malaysia
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Dansk Teak Wood Bowl Malaysia maker stamp 4.75 h x 10.5 Preowned unrestored vintage Review all images
Wood, Teak
Vintage 1950s Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Design Bowl, Made in Denmark
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Large bowl designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard. Produced in Denmark by Dansk during the 1950s. Made from solid staved teak. Good vintage condition. Aside from its utilitarian duty, th...
Teak
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
$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
Jens Quistgaard Staved Teak Bowl for Dansk Design, Denmark, 1950s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Utrecht, NL
Jens H. Quistgaard set out to design beautiful things for everyday use, which is an essentially Scandinavian approach to design in general. Over the course of his prolific and varied design career, Jens Quistgaard created objects that are a meditation on the possibilities of shape for a common household object. Intriguing and fantastical, the variety of forms the sculptor manifested expand the vocabulary of functional design, calling on an array of familiar references including natural shapes. This solid wood bowl is a beautiful example of this, with an organic shape and an immediately visible level of craftsmanship. This rare model is an early iteration of the teak Viking...
Wood
Midcentury Catch All Watch or Key Holder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Catch all by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Great for a watch holder or keys. Solid teak with early Dansk mark, Denmark, 1950s.
Teak
Small Jens Qiuistgaard Dansk Denmark Teak Bowl
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Ferndale, MI
Smaller size Dansk bowl. One I have never seen. Turned teak wood. Fine condition possibly never used. Marked JHQ Dansk Denmark.
Teak
Dansk Divided Teak Bowl
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage divided teak bowl by Dansk. Designer: Jens Quistgaard Manufacturer: Dansk Dimensions: 2" tall x 8.75: diameter.
Teak
$740Sale Price|20% Off
Early Danish Teak Centerpiece Serving Bowl by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century modern decorative staved salad serving bowl designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark. This unique piece displays quality solid teak craftsmanship and makes f...
Teak
Sculptural Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sculptural Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk circa, 1960 "marked on the underside" "nice wood grain and finish" "felt pads added to bottom" "oiled with food grade miner...
Teak
$215 / item
Teak Salad Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage staved teak large salad bowl design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk International Design LTD Thailand JHQ". Designer: Jens ...
Teak
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
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Danish Teak Ice Bucket by Jen's Quistgaard
By Dansk
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Sculptural teak ice bucket with a plastic liner by Jen's Quistgaard for Dansk. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Can be parcel posted.
Plastic, Teak
Postmodern Dansk Space Age Serving Tray & Cutting Board By Gunnar Cyren
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
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
Teak Serving Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage staved teak serving bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk International Design LTD Thailand JHQ". Designer: Jens Qu...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Copper and Brass Lidded Pot for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lidded pot by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. This piece produced in Denmark in the 1960s, features a copper pot and lid with brass handle details. Dimensions 10" diameter x 4" height. ...
Brass, Copper
Mid Century Danish Sculptural Teak Bowl, Handcrafted in 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful patinated bowl in teak. Handcrafted in 1960s Suits the modern interior.
Teak
Vintage Dansk Jens Quistgaard Teak Wood Brass Candleholder
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Dansk International Designs Teak Wood & Brass Candle Holder By Jens Quistgaard Midcentury Danish modern teak and brass candleholder by Dansk. Mi...
Brass
$375 / set
H 0.5 in W 8.75 in D 3 in
Danish Odin Stainless Steel Salad Servers Set by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Stamford, CT
The enduring sensibility of Danish design has proven timeless, with both vintage and contemporary works continuing to captivate collectors worldwide. Dansk embodies this appreciation...
Stainless Steel
Early Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare and hard to find, large teak bowl by J.Quistgaard. Unusual form with raised handles and great patina.
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Rosewood Box for Dansk, Denmark, c.1960
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Quistgaard Lidded Rosewood Box for the Dansk Rare Wood Collection, Denmark, c.1960.
Wood
Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Rare Rosewood & Silver Plate Peppermill by Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in St. Louis, MO
A rare Jens Quistgaard pepper mill of extraordinary design, part of Dansk's "Rare Woods" collection is made of rosewood with a silver plated band. There is a hole in the band to load...
Silver Plate, Brass
Angelo Mangiarotti "8532" Black Marble Bowl for Knoll International c. 1960s
By Knoll, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in St. Louis, MO
Angelo Mangiarotti sculptural Nero Marquina "black" Sculptural marble ashtray, nuts or candy bowl for Knoll International, model # 8532. In excellent condition, little to no use, ver...
Marble
$782
H 4.34 in Dm 11.82 in
1960s Danish Teak Bowl by Dansk Design Denmark Design by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Teak bowl by Jens Harald Quistgaard. Producer Dansk design, Denmark, 1960s. Original 1960s teak bowl made in Denmark. Desigend by Jens Harald Quistgaard. Made in high qua...
Teak
Pair of 1950s Jens Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of 1950s Jens Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk. Executed in solid brass, these candlesticks are one of Quistgaard's most no...
Brass
Mutenye Cheese Board by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon, well-scaled and finely crafted circular mutenye serving board having an end grain cutting surface and a sculptural recessed well.
Wood
Jens Quistgaard Iron "Candelabrums" for Dansk, Denmark, 1960's
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Pair of Jens Quistgaard Iron "Candelabrums" for Dansk, Denmark, 1960's. Stamped Denmark & IHQ.
Iron
Bowl Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
The large teak bowl, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s, exemplifies the era's renowned Danish design principles. This piece showcases the mastery of form and function, with its smo...
Teak
1960s Dansk International Teak Bowl Thailand
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Dansk Teak Bowl Thailand 5 h x 10 diameter Preowned vintage condition Refer to images
Teak
Mid-century Danish Jens Quistgaard Teak Dansk Oval Bowl c.1960
By Dansk
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A Mid-century Teak oval shaped bowl designed by Jens H. Quistgaard. This piece has the 4 duck markings and "Dansk Designs Denmark JHQ" branded to the bottom CREATOR Dansk...
Teak
Mid Century Teak Wood Decorative Bowl by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in Detroit, MI
This large vintage mid-century Danish modern Dansk teak wood fruit or salad bowl is circa 1960. It is made from thick solid staved teak wood with gorgeous grain and features a simple...
Teak
Mid Century Danish Ceramic Bowl with Brown & Blue Stripes by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage midcentury Danish modern Dansk small decorative ceramic bowl or dish circa 1960 has a lovely shallow profile. The simple modernist design ffeatures organic hand painted ...
Ceramic
Jens Quistgaard Tray by Dansk in Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful large tray designed by Jens Quistgaard. Produced by Dansk in Denmark.
Wood
Teak Sculptural Canoe Bowl and Tongs by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Canoe salad bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk with serving tongs. Staved teak. Both the bowl and tongs have early Dansk marks. Denmark, 1950s. Jens Harald Quistgaard (1919-2008) was...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Teak Waste Basket or Towel Holder
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk teak basket. Perfect to use for rolled towels, magazines or as a waste basket. Early form, hard to find! Great original condition! Signed to bottom.
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 1.75 in W 23.5 in D 11.63 in
Danish Modern Teak Dansk Serving Tray Platter by Jens H. Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage staved decorative tray platter designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark model #802. This unique piece is made out of solid plank staved teak including handles making...
Teak
Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Large staved teak bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Would make a great fruit or salad bowl. Beautiful old growth teak. Stamped "Dansk Designs Denmark IHQ...
Teak
Dansk Teak Salad Bowls by Jens Quistgaard - Set of 8
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage set of 8 Danish teak salad bowls by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Designer: Jens Quistgaard Manufacturer: Dansk Year: 1960s-70s Style: Mid Century...
Teak
Sold
H 4.53 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Mid-Century Jens Quistgaard Teak Bowl for Dansk Designs, Denmark 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
For sale a stunning Danish Mid-Century Modernist teak salad/fruit bowl designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, circa 1960s. This beautifully elegant bowl, with its staved ...
Teak
Large Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Large staved teak bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Would make a great fruit or salad bowl. Beautiful old growth teak. Made in Denmark, 1960s.
Teak