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.
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Jens Quistgaard Silver Plated Candle Holder for Dansk, France, 1970's
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Quistgaard Silver Plated Candle Holder for Dansk, France, 1970's. Signed " DANSK DESIGNS FANCE IHQ. " Beautiful natural patina.
Silver Plate
$240Sale Price / set|39% Off
Vintage Set of 4 Dansk Mid-Century Candle Holders
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
An array of incredible Scandinavian classic candle holders from Dansk. This set includes a spider candle holder, an Iron and Brass candle holder ...
Iron
$1,308Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jens Harald Quistgaard. Danish cast iron candlesticks, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist and Space Age style candlesticks designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and manufactured by Dansk Design in Denmark, 1960s. Both pieces are made of solid cast iron with a centr...
Brass, Iron
$625Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Candelabra Candle Holder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk JHQ Cast Iron
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Bring a touch of mid-century modern elegance to your home with this iconic Jens Quistgaard candelabra, designed in the 1960s. Crafted from cast iron and brass, this sculptural piec...
Brass, Iron
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Dansk Danish Modern Sterling Silver Plate Candelabra Made in France
By Dansk
Located in New York, NY
A Midcentury Modern or Danish/Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs sterling silver plate twelve (12) candle holder/candelabra, circa mid-20th century, made in France. Piece also makes a...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sculptural Silver Plated Coiled Candle Holder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice sculptural silver plated coiled candleholder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece has a capacity for 12 long taper candles with a diameter of 1/4". The candle hol...
Silver Plate
$196Sale Price|20% Off
Dansk Design Candleholder
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Original midcentury Dansk Design candleholder.
Iron
MCM Iron Candle Holder in Box by Dansk Designs
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM Iron candle holder in ox by Dansk Designs, circa 1950s. The piece holds twelve narrow candles and is in good vintage condition. it measures 4.25"D x 1.5"H. #3707
Iron
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
Design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Pair of Teardrop Candleholders
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Dansk tilting silver-plated teardrop candleholders in great vintage condition. This piece was designed by Jens Quistgaard and is true to ...
Metal, Silver Plate
$120Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Silver Plated Coiled Candle Holder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice sculptural silver plated coiled candleholder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece has a capacity for 12 long taper candles with a diameter of 1/4". Good vintage c...
Silver Plate
Rare Vintage Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard JHQ 8 Light Iron TRIVET Candelabra
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare Vintage Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard JHQ 8 Light Iron TRIVET Candelabra Rare Vintage Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard JHQ 8 Light Cast Iron Square Grid Candle Holder Candelabra ...
Iron
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Tilt Candleholders By Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Tilt Candleholders By Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
Silver Plate
$148Sale Price / set|20% Off
Dansk France Jens Quistgaard Teardrop Candleholders
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
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
$120Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Silver Plated Coiled Candleholder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice sculptural silver plated coiled candleholder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece has a capacity for 12 long taper candles with a diameter of 1/4". The candlehold...
Silver Plate
Quistgaard for Dansk Black Iron & Brass Swivel Candelabra, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Danish Modern Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Black Iron Swivel 7 Arm Candle Holder. Featuring a enameled black cast iron tree form with adjustable an...
Brass, Iron
MCM Iron Candle Holder in Box by Dansk Designs with Candles
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM Iron candle holder in original box by Dansk Designs of Denmark, circa 1950s. The piece holds twelve narrow candles and is in good vintage condition; it measures 4.75"D x 1.25"H....
Iron
$180Sale Price / set|20% Off
Matching Pair of Silver Plate Snake Candle Holders by Bertil Vallien for Dansk
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of sculptural silver-plate coil candle holders designed by Bertil Vallien for Dansk Denmark. Circa 1970s. Each has a capacity for 12 long taper c...
Silver Plate
Original Candleholder by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark 1970s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Candleholder element Producer: Dansk Designs Design: Jens Harald Quistgaard Decade: 1970s Description: Original Danish candle holder designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced by Dansk Designs in the 1970s in Denmark. It is made of cast iron and features eight holders for candles. This item remains in a very nice vintage condition without damage. It is marked underneath the base with the producer (Dansk Designs + Denmark) and designer print...
Metal
$240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Sculptural Silver Plated Coiled Candleholders by Bertil Vallien for Dansk, Pair
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of sculptural silver plated coiled candleholders by Bertil Vallien for Dansk, circa 1970s. Each candleholder has a capacity for 12 long taper candles with a diameter of 1/4...
Silver Plate
$3,368Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 6.75 in W 4 in D 4 in
Set of Nine Candle Holders by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of nine candle holders by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark.
Metal
1970s Dansk Star Shaped Glass Candle Holder Pair
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of Dansk star shaped glass votive candle holders, Set of two, Denmark, circa 1970s. Unmarked Dimensions: 2.25 H x 3.75 diameter- candle 1.25 diameter....
Art Glass
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
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3 in W 1.5 in D 1.5 in
Design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Pair of Teardrop Candleholders
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Dansk tilting silver-plated teardrop candleholders in great vintage condition. This piece was designed by Jens Quistgaard and is true to ...
Metal, Silver Plate
$280
H 2.25 in Dm 7.5 in
Jens Quistgaard Modernist Tripod Iron Candle Incense Holder Dansk Original Box
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Jens Quistgaard tripod cast iron candle or incense holder by Dansk with original box. The modernist design looks great as just an object. 1950s. Made in Denmark.
Metal
$836
H 18.51 in Dm 7.09 in
Brutalist cast iron and brass candelabra by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark 1960's
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This iconic candelabra or candle holder was designed by Jens Quistgaard in the 1960s. A brutalist design that is made out of cast iron and brass. It has 7 adjustable arms that can ro...
Brass, Iron
$320 / set
H 2.75 in Dm 4.25 in
Scandinavian Modern Dansk International Pair of Lead Crystal Glass Candle Holder
By Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs round Lead Crystal glass candle holders. Marked underneath Dansk International Designs LTD IH...
Crystal
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
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
Mid-Century Modern Silver-Plated Four-Light Candelabra, Denmark
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Carl Frederik Christiansen
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Elegant mid-century modern silver-plated candelabra in the style of Carl F. Christiansen or Wilhelm Wagenfeld. This four-light candleholder features gracefully curved tubular arms th...
Silver Plate
Jens Quistgaard, Candelabra, Cast Iron, Brass, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in High Point, NC
A cast iron and brass candelabra designed and produced by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, c. 1950s. fits 0.45” diameter candles
Brass, Iron
Jens Quistgaard Candelabra, Cast Iron
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish sculptural candelabra designed Jens Quistgaard circa 1960 Denmark. Measurements W 4.35'' x D 4.35'' x H 7''.
Iron
Sold
H 2.56 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Candle Holder, Midcentury Danish Sculptural metal
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in London, GB
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Candleholder, circa 1960 Black cast metal. A lovely midcentury item. Some surface rust, adds nicely to the vintage feel. Dimensions approx.: W 9 cm, H 6.5...
Metal
Sold
H 10.5 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Jens Quistgaard Silver and Brass Candlestick Holders by Dansk - A Pair
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of silver and brass plated candlestick holders by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Japan.
Silver, Brass
Sculptural Silver Plated Coiled Candleholder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice sculptural silver plated coiled candleholder by Bertil Vallien for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece has a capacity for 12 long taper candles with a diameter of 1/4". The candle hol...
Silver Plate
Brass Candle Holders by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in London, GB
Two circular brass candle holders by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s. Their elegant shape is tapered. The small one holds 5 and the large one 9 taper candles Dimensions; diameter 9 a...
Brass
Vintage Dansk Iron Candelabra by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage cast iron candleabra. made in Denmark. Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. the sprial pattern can be adjusted.
Iron
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Candle Holder, Denmark 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Candle Holder, Denmark 1960s
Iron
Jens H. Quistgaard, Scandinavian Cast Iron Candelabra by Dansk Design
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Norwalk, CT
Illuminate your space with a touch of Scandinavian mastery with our singular Sphere-Shaped Candelabra, crafted by the inimitable Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Design. A celebration of...
Iron
Sculptural Silver Plated Candle Holder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice sculptural silver-plated round candleholder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece has a capacity for 12 long taper candles with a diameter of 1/4". Good vintage c...
Silver Plate
Jens Harald Quistgaard Dansk Denmark Iron Tabletop Candleholder, 1960
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in South Charleston, WV
18.5" tall, 7" wide. Midcentury 1960s seven arm candleholder designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard JHQ for Dansk, Denmark. Solid Iron dark brown color. Modernist sculptural design. Each of the 7 candle...
Iron
Mid-Century Dansk Silver Plate Spiral Candle Holder by Bertil Vallien
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in Fairfield, CA
A mid-century silver plate candle holder designed by Bertil Vallien for Dansk. Great sculptural spiral shape, holding up to 12 tiny taper candles. Marked "Dansk Designs, France" on t...
Metal
Sold
H 6.7 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Original 1960s Candleholder by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Candleholder element Producer: Dansk Designs Design: Jens Harald Quistgaard Decade: 1960s Description: Original Danish candle holder ...
Metal
Sculptural Silver Plated Candle Holder by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice sculptural silver-plated round candleholder by Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece has a capacity for 6 long taper candles with a diameter of 1/4". Good vintage conditi...
Silver Plate