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.
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
Pair of Plated Animal Paperweights by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of plated animal paperweights by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk, circa 1970s. The cat and pig are made of plated zinc and are signed on the underside. Please see my other Gunnar Cyren ...
Zinc
Hippopotamus Silver Plate Paperweights designed Gunnar Cyrén for Dansk Designs
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A delightful pair of vintage hippopotamus figurines designed by Gunnar Cyrén for Dansk Designs as part of the iconic 1980s “Silver Zoo” series, produced in Japan. Crafted in silver-...
Silver Plate
Brass Paperweight with Elephant Motif by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A solid brass paperweight designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, featuring a stylized elephant motif. Well-crafted with a warm, even patina and characteristic mid-centur...
Brass
$1,785Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.6 in W 2.09 in D 10.44 in
Vintage Hermès Paperweight Ruler Silver-plate Leather Desk Accessory 1970's
By Hermès
Located in Lausanne, CH
Vintage Hermès, Paris, an elegant desk accessory. The paperweight is in the shape of a decimal ruler, silver-plate with detachable black leather tab. Made circa 1975, signed.
Silver Plate
Robert Loughlin “HEAD ACH” Painting on Vintage Paperweight Box
By Robert Loughlin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paint on “The Excedrin Tablet” paperweight box by New York City picking and art legend, Robert Loughlin. “RL ‘Head Ach’” painted the on back. Featured in Patrick Parrish Gallery's “R...
Paint, Paper
Sterling Silver Plate Letter Opener Horse Head Design
By Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
A substantial sterling silver-plated letter opener with horse head handle, circa mid-20th century, USA. A great desk, office, library, etc., accessory. With maker's mark on underside...
Metal, Silver Plate
1960 Lino Sabattini Christofle Design Silver Metal Paperweight
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Brescia, IT
Paperweight Lino Sabattini for Christofle France 1960 Silver Metal Mark manufacture impressed Very good condiction
Metal
1980s Silver Plated Metal Partridge Paperweight By Gucci
By Gucci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Vintage Gucci Italian Metal Bird Desk Ornament or Paperweight This charming desk accessory is a vintage piece of home décor or paperweight by the renowned Italian luxury house, Gucci...
Silver Plate
Teak Desk Top Tambourine Door Storage Box
By Peter Hvidt, Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Teak Desk Top Storage Cabinet circa 1970 Manufacturer Stamp on the Back Teak with Tambour Sliding Doors. Interior Divider is Missing
Teak
Vintage Viking Glass Hippopotamus Figure Paperweight
By Viking Glass Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful clear glass hippopotamus paperweight by the Viking Glass Company. The glass figurine is flat on the back side, this allows the figure to s...
Glass
1950s Fornasetti Paperweight in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with butterflies. Handmade.Made in Italy. Heavy ceramic construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. ...
Ceramic
Pair of Bronze Paperweights, circa 1970, France.
By Monique Gerber
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of paperweights in the shape of pebbles, circa 1970, France. Gilded bronze. Dimensions: pebble one: 9 x 8 x 3 cm, pebble two: 8 x 7 x 3 cm. All purchases are covered by our Buye...
Bronze
Modernist Silver Plate Pear Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool modernist silver plated pear paperweight / sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is well crafted with a nice weight and in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks...
Silver Plate
Gourmet Round Wood Trivet, by Gunnar Cyren from Warm Nordic
By Gunnar Cyren
Located in Viby J, DK
Beautiful walnut and oak trivets with delicate carvings. Trivets were originally designed in the 1970s by the highly acclaimed Swedish designer, Gunnar Cyren as part of the Gourmet Wood range, and are now being manufactured again by Warm Nordic. Their harmonious design and consummate quality make these wooden trivets perfect for both everyday meals and more festive occasions. The carvings lend the trivets a touch of character and have a life of their own in the form of swaying trees, sprouting hearts and abstract animals, depending on which way you look at them. Gunnar Cyren's Trivets also look attractive on the kitchen worktop...
Wood
Sold
H 2.5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
1970s Rare Shooting Star Dansk Silver Plated Paperweight by Gunnar Cyren
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
1970s Rare Shooting Star Dansk Silver Plated Paperweight by Gunnar Cyren. Vintage silver-plated paperweight figurine designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk in the 1970s and measures appr...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 2.25 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
1970s Rare Elephant Dansk Animal Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern Signed Dansk Silverplated Elephant Figure. Vintage silver-plated paperweight figurine designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk in the 1970s. Signed Dansk Designs Japan G...
Silver Plate
Pair of Plated Animal Paperweights by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of plated animal paperweights by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk, circa 1970s. The giraffe and elephant are made of plated zinc and are signed on the...
Zinc
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H 2.25 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
1970s Rare Elephant Dansk Animal Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern Signed Dansk Silverplated Elephant Figure. Vintage silver plated paperweight figurine designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk in the 1970s. Signed Dansk Designs Japan G...
Silver Plate
Danish Modern Teak "Catch All" by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Danish modern teak "catch all" by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 11"W x 9.25"D x 1.75"H; it has three divided compartmen...
Teak
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H 1.5 in W 2.63 in D 0.75 in
1970s Dansk Polar Bear Silver Plated Paperweight Animal Sculpture Scandinavian
By Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Japanese Dansk silver-plated polar bear paperweight. Marked Dansk Designs Japan on the underside. Great collectors' piece and a Gift idea for the Holiday Season...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 2 in W 1.38 in D 1.38 in
Scandinavian Modern Original Dansk Design Silver Plate Cat Paperweight Denmark
By Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Scandinavian Modern Original Dansk Design silver-plated cat paperweight, Animal Sculpture. Marked on the underside. Great collectors' piece. A-607-335
Silver Plate, Metal
Dansk Silverplate Elephant Figurine
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage silver-plate elephant figurine/paperweight by Dansk. Manufacturer: Dansk Origin: Japan Year: 1970s Dimensions: 2.25" wide x 2.25" tall x 1.5" deep.
Silver
Oval Teak Tray Jens Quistgaard Dansk Denmark 1950-1960
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Rochester, NY
Large sculptural oval teak wood tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark. Signed underside bottom with early production mark. Overall beautifully aged original glowing color and we...
Teak
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H 2.5 in W 2.75 in D 0.75 in
DANSK Modernist Camel Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Dansk Modernist Camel Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk designed in circa 1970s. Wonderful modernist silver plated camel made by Dan...
Silver Plate
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H 4.25 in W 2.25 in D 0.75 in
1970s Rare Giraffe Dansk Animal Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren
By Dansk, Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern Signed Dansk Silverplated Giraffe Figure. Vintage silver plated giraffe paperweight figurine designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk in the 1970s. Signed Dansk Designs Japan...
Zinc
Set of Four Plated Animal Paperweights by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice set of four plated animal paperweights by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk, circa 1970s. The set include an elephant, giraffe, hippo and gazelle. They ...
Zinc
